DEFENCE

Clansman Radio System

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received on the performance of Clansman radio systems in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: The Information and Communications System Support IPT has requested formal and specific feedback on the performance of Clansman during Operation Telic. A positive report was received on 18 August 2003 from Headquarters Land Command on the performance of Clansman radio systems during Operation TELIC in Iraq, which stated that Clansman "performed well in availability terms". No formal reports have yet been received on the performance of Clansman in terms of its effectiveness as a Combat Net Radio System. Additionally, no formal complaints have been received in respect of Clansman performance.

Medical Treatment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money was paid for (a) private and (b) NHS medical treatment of service personnel in each calendar year since 1997.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 9 June 2003
	The information requested is only held by financial year. The cost of private treatment in respect of centrally run treatment initiatives and single service schemes in the United Kingdom in each of the years from 2001–02 to 2002–03 is shown as follows. No figures for private treatment have been recorded centrally for years prior to 2000–01.
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2000–01 0.769 
			 2001–02 4.095 
			 2002–03 3.326 
		
	
	Expenditure on NHS providers between 1996–97 and 2002–03 was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1996–97 0.137 
			 1997–98 2.294 
			 1998–99 7.419 
			 1999–2000 8.560 
			 2000–01 15.168 
			 2001–02 23.209 
			 2002–03 25.725 
		
	
	The figures represent payments under the Service Level Agreements between the Ministry of Defence and the NHS Hospital Trusts which host the MOD Hospital Units (MDHUs) as they became established, the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) from 2001–02 onwards, and the Royal Surrey County Hospital from 2000–01 onwards (for oromaxillofacial treatment only).
	The figures for 1996–97 to 2000–01 represent the net costs to MOD after offsetting the payments received from the host Trusts in respect of military personnel serving in MDHU's, the RCDM and the Royal Surrey County Hospital. With effect from 1 April 2001, the two sets of costs were separated and figures shown for that year onwards represent gross treatment costs.

Services Training

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many trainees have been (a) killed and (b) injured in the last 10 years; and in each case what the type of training being undertaken and the cause of injury or death was.

Ivor Caplin: Between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2002 there were 112 Regular Service trainees killed through fatal injuries. It is not possible to provide individual details for each trainee as this would compromise service personnel confidentiality. Comprehensive information on non-fatal injuries is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following table provides details of the deaths of the trainees killed as a result of injuries, broken down by cause.
	
		Regular armed forces trainee personnel killed due to fatal injuries: 1993–2002
		
			 Cause of death Number killed 
		
		
			 Training and Exercises-Accidents 10 
			 Firearms 3 
			 Environmental factors (e.g. Excessive heat/cold pressure) 3 
			 Road traffic accidents 1 
			 Drowning 1 
			 Falls, twisting, turning, slipping etc. 2 
			   
			 On-Duty Accidents 10 
			 Road traffic accidents 5 
			 Firearms(1) 2 
			 Aircraft 2 
			 Parachute 1 
			   
			 Off-Duty Accidents 68 
			 Road traffic accidents 46 
			 Poisoning 6 
			 Hanging, suffocation, strangulation etc. 5 
			 Falls, twisting, turning, slipping etc. 4 
			 Firearms(1) 2 
			 Drowning 2 
			 Aircraft 1 
			 Machinery and tools 1 
			 Water transport 1 
			   
			 Suicide(2) 23 
			 Off duty criminal shooting 1 
			 Total killed 112 
		
	
	(1) Includes deaths awaiting coroner's verdicts.
	(2) Defined as coroner's verdicts of suicide and open. Please note that suicide and open verdicts are subject to change as outstanding coroner's verdicts are reported.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Ivor Caplin: Between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003, special advisers in the Ministry of Defence travelled abroad on 12 occasions and visited the following countries:
	Bahrain
	Belgium
	Crete
	Czech Republic
	France
	Germany
	Italy
	Kuwait
	Poland
	Qatar
	Turkey
	USA
	The average cost of each visit was £1,398.
	All travel by special advisers is undertaken fully in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

HEALTH

Adverse Reactions to Drugs (Children)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children suffered adverse effects last year from prescribed drugs that required hospital treatment.

Stephen Ladyman: Data from Hospital Episode Statistics indicates that there were 2,778 admissions to hospital of children under 16 years due to adverse effects from drugs, medicines and biological substances in therapeutic use in national health service hospitals in England in 2001–02. These data include adverse effects from all medicines, whether prescribed or taken without prescription. It is important to note that these figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have been admitted to hospital more than once in the year.

Cancer Care

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with strategic health authorities and primary care trusts to ensure cancer is treated as a primary care priority in line with his Department's national guidance; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure cancer is treated as a primary care priority in line with his Department's national guidance.

Melanie Johnson: The NHS Cancedr Plan made clear the crucial role that family doctors and community nurses have to play at all stages along the cancer patient pathway. One of the actions in the NHS Cancer Plan was the establishment of a new partnership between the National Health Service and Macmillan Cancer Relief to provide around £3 million a year for three years to support a lead clinician in cancer within every primary care trust (PCT). These leads have a key role to play by providing strategic leadership within the PCT, contributing to the development of cancer networks, improving communication between sectors, raising standards of cancer care through the PCTs and ensuring services are responsive to the needs of people affected by cancer.
	A recent workshop to develop a vision for primary care cancer services examined the role of community-based services in all aspects of cancer care including patients at risk of cancer, patients with symptoms suggesting a possible diagnosis of cancer and the care of patients with known cancer. The workshop was attended by a number of stakeholders including representatives from PCTs. It also provided an opportunity to consider the cancer elements of the proposed general medical services contract quality and outcomes framework. This includes some cancer and palliative care specific indicators as well as other generic organisational indicators that are of particular relevance to cancer patients wuch as sharing information out of hours.
	Responsibility for commissioning of cancer services now rests with PCTs and it is for PCTs in parnership with strategic health authorities (SHAs) and other local stakeholders to determine how best to meet national priorities, including the targets set for cancer, in "Improvement, Expansion and Reform: the next three years—Priorities and Planning Framework 2003 to 2006".
	PCTs and SHAs were required to produce local delivery plans (LDPs) for the three years 2003–04 to 2005–06 setting out how the would deliver the national targets set out in the Priorities and Planning Framework and supporting guidance was provided to assist with this. It is the SHA who are responsible for delivering the targets or outcomes in their LDP.

Cancer Treatment

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest average waiting time is from referral to (a) imaging treatment, (b) endoscopy treatment and (c) radiotherapy treatment for NHS cancer patients.

Melanie Johnson: Data are not collected centrally on waiting times for scans, endoscopy or radiotherapy treatment. The length of time that a patient may have to wait is dependent on their clinical condition. Emergency cases need to be seen immediately. Other cases will be carried out as quickly as possible, dependent on the clinical priority of all patients waiting to be treated.
	Where these procedures form part of the pathway for cancer patients the NHS Cancer Plan set out maximum waiting time targets for first definitive cancer treatment. From 2001, there was a one month maximum wait from diagnosis to first treatment for breast cancer and a one month wait from urgent referral to first treatment for children's cancers, testicular cancer and acute leukaemia. From 2002, there was a maximum two month wait from urgent referral to treatment for breast cancer. By 2005, there will be a maximum one month wait from diagnosis to first treatment and a maximum two months from urgent referral to first treatment for all cancers. Performance data on current cancer waiting times targets are published on the Departments website at www.doh.gov.uk/cancerwaits.

Cosmetic Surgery

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that cosmetic surgery clinics check the qualifications and expertise of the surgeons they employ.

John Hutton: Under the Care Standards Act 2000, from 1 April 2002 all independent health care providers have been regulated by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC). The NCSC has a health directorate devoted to the inspection and regulation of independent health care providers, who are required to meet national minimum standards. These require that cosmetic surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council and that pre and post employment checks are carried out, including validation of qualifications, and that employment references are sought.
	If the NCSC discovers that an independent hospital is not complying with these standards, it has the power to take appropriate regulatory action to ensure they are met.

Emergency Planning

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards training (a) general practitioners, (b) staff at NHS Direct and (c) accident and emergency staff to spot outbreaks of infectious diseases.

John Hutton: Training is long established for health care workers to respond to routine outbreaks of infectious diseases. Since 11 September 2001, training to spot outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by the deliberate release of biological agents has increased. This has included educational articles in national and international medical journals, authoritative and up-to-date advice on the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency's web-sites and seminars/conferences for specific groups of healthcare workers. These seminars follow the principle of "Training the Trainer" and will be cascaded to other health care professionals. More are planned this year. Training for a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident is now the responsibility of the Health Protection Agency [HPA].
	For general practitioners, a conference was organised by the Department of Health and the Royal College of General Practitioners in early July.
	All NHS Direct staff have been trained in the rationale, mechanism and importance of their surveillance programme, set up to detect outbreaks of infectious diseases. Analysts have been trained to deliver daily surveillance reports and a training module is being developed, in collaboration with the HPA, on emergency planning.
	Accident and emergency staff have been trained through seminars for example 'Silent Weapons' and advanced life support group training.

Healthcare-associated Infections

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the targeted action plans for healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance as set out in "Getting Ahead of the Curve" for tackling HAI.

Melanie Johnson: The targeted action plans for healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance as set out in "Getting Ahead of the Curve" will contribute to the Government's longer term strategy to prevent and reduce healthcare associated infections.

Hospital Hygiene

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the traffic light league tables for hospital cleanliness; what plans he has to change the system; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The patient environment action team programme, and the resulting 'traffic light' ratings awarded to hospitals, have been significant factors in improving the environmental conditions, including standards of cleanliness, in hospitals.
	Since the introduction of the system the number of 'Green' hospitals has increased from 22.3 per cent. to 60 per cent. (2000–02) while the number being assessed as 'Red' has fallen from 35.5 per cent. to zero over the same period.
	There are no plans to change the system.

Hospital Laundry Facilities

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals do not have laundry facilities on site; and whether he intends to require all hospitals to have internal laundries.

John Hutton: No information is held centrally on the number of hospitals with on-site laundry facilities.
	There is no intention to require all hospitals to have laundries on site. The management and control of hospital linen is administered at local level. National health service trusts are required to have risk management protocols with regard to effective laundry practice.

Hospital Laundry Facilities

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for requiring nurses and medical staff to keep their uniforms at work to be laundered after each use rather than travelling to work in uniform.

John Hutton: Provision and laundering of staff uniforms is a matter for individual trusts to determine. There are no proposals to require staff to leave uniforms at work for trusts to launder.

Maternity Care

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent midwives were employed in the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	Between 2000 and 2002, there has been an increase of 460 whole-time equivalent midwives as training numbers have increased and recruitment and retention strategies have been implemented.
	
		NHS midwives as at 30 September each year
		
			  Whole-time equivalents 
		
		
			 1998 18,168 
			 1999 17,876 
			 2000 17,662 
			 2001 18,048 
			 2002 18,119 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce census

Maternity Care

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms the NHS has for offering homebirth and natural birthing opportunities to expectant mothers.

Stephen Ladyman: The national health service provides a variety of types of care for women during pregnancy and childbirth, including home birth and natural birthing opportunities. The Department of Health advocates local decision making in designing appropriate, effective services that fit in with the ethos of woman-centred care. It is inevitable that the requirements of women will vary in different parts of the country and this is why it is so important that decisions about service provision are made at a local level.
	The Department of Health is currently developing the children's national service framework (NSF) which includes a maternity module. The NSF will focus on extending maternity choices, so that women in all parts of the country have a greater choice in the place and type of birth.

Maternity Care

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the numbers of consultant obstetricians in labour units in the NHS; what guidelines he has issued on the (a) optimum and (b) minimum coverage of labour units by consultant obstetricians; and what the average number of consultant obstetricians in labour units in (i) England and (ii) each strategic health authority is.

Stephen Ladyman: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Department of Health officials have received a number of representations on numbers of consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology on labour units, in particular, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology.
	These include contributions to the report to the children task force from the maternity and neonatal workforce group, annual speciality review meetings and the maternity module of the children's national service framework.
	The Department of Health does not issue professional guidance on labour ward cover. This is a matter for the professional bodies and for local determination according to a units circumstances and requirements.
	We do not collect figures on the number of consultant obstetricians in labour units in England. The number of consultants with an obstetric and gynaecology speciality in each strategic health authority is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital medical consultants with an obstetrics and gynaecology speciality by strategic health authority—as at 30 September 2002—(headcount)
		
			   Numbers 
		
		
			  
			  
			  England 1,308 
			 Q01 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 57 
			 Q02 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 31 
			 Q03 Essex 27 
			 Q04 North West London 70 
			 Q05 North Central London 49 
			 Q06 North East London 63 
			 Q07 South East London 52 
			 Q08 South West London 36 
			 Q09 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 47 
			 Q10 County Durham and Tees Valley 38 
			 Q11 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 36 
			 Q12 West Yorkshire 51 
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire 43 
			 Q14 Greater Manchester 74 
			 Q15 Cheshire and Merseyside 69 
			 Q16 Thames Valley 48 
			 Q17 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 40 
			 Q18 Kent and Medway 43 
			 Q19 Surrey and Sussex 61 
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 53 
			 Q21 South West Peninsula 30 
			 Q22 Dorset and Somerset 24 
			 Q23 South Yorkshire 47 
			 Q24 Trent 55 
			 Q25 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 38 
			 Q26 Shropshire and Staffordshire 26 
			 Q27 Birmingham and the Black Country 65 
			 Q28 Coventry, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire and Worcestershire 35 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

Maternity Care

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of babies born per bed per day in labour units in (a) England and (b) each strategic health authority has been in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is not available in the format requested. Information about maternities and maternity beds in England is shown in the table. However, information by strategic health authority is not available.
	
		Number of maternities and available maternity beds, England, 1997–98 to 2002–02
		
			 Year Maternities Availablematernity beds Maternities per bed per day 
		
		
			 1997–98 585,000 10,781 0.15 
			 1998–99 577,500 10,398 0.15 
			 1999–2000 565,300 10,203 0.15 
			 2000–01 549,600 9,767 0.15 
			 2001–02 541,700 9,812 0.15 
		
	
	Source:
	Maternities—DH/SD3G; available beds—DH/hospital activity statistics

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) foreign and (b) UK visits he has made since 1 April; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; who he met; and what gifts were received.

Rosie Winterton: Since 1 April 2003 the Secretary of State for Health has made the following foreign and UK visits.
	My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Milburn) made one foreign visit and seven UK visits:
	Geneva
	To attend the World Health Assembly Meeting. To meet various international Health Ministers. The cost of the visit was £668.00.
	Pontefract General Infirmary
	To meet Lord Geoffrey Lofthouse (Trust Chairman and former MP for Pontefract) and Roger French (Chief Executive) and staff.
	St. George's Health Centre, Leeds
	To meet staff.
	Westminster Eye Ward, Countess of Chester Health Park
	To meet the Chair and Chief Executive, Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust), Christine Russell MP, Cllr Bob Rudd.
	Jubilee Day Surgery Centre, Chester
	Official opening and to meet staff and Christine Russell MP, Cllr Bob Rudd.
	West Chester Hospital
	Laying of sod at the site of the new West Chester Hospital to meet Christine Russell MP, Cllr Bob Rudd.
	University College Hospital, London
	To meet the Chairman, Chief Executive, Medical Director, Consultant (Radiology), General Manager (Imaging), Superintendent Radiographer, Director of Cancer Services, General Manager, Cancer Services, Director of Services North London Cancer Network.
	Wansbeck Hospital
	Opening the new £20 million Phase 2 at Wansbeck Hospital and to meet the Chief Executive, the Chairman, the Chairman of the Northumberland Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority, the Chief Executive of the Northumberland Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority, the Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Northumberland PCT, the Deputy Chief Executive and a Gleesons/Canmore representative.
	Since 13 June 2003 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health (Dr. John Reid) made no foreign visits and three UK visits.
	Soho Walk-in Centre
	To meet the Centre Manager and staff.
	Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
	To meet a Genetics Nurse, a Dietician, and Cardiac Physiotherapist and medical staff.
	Bromley by Bow Healthy Living Centre
	To meet the Director of the Bromley by Bow Centre, the Chief Executive of the Strategic Health Authority and the GP.
	The Secretary of State received a gift of 'Sunbather' in green soapstone by Paula Haughney at Bromley. He has received no other gifts.

Neurology Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2003, Official Report, column 541W, on neurological registrars, how many senior house officers specialising in neurology there were in each region in each year.

John Hutton: The number of senior house officers (SHOs) within neurology, in each national health service region, in 1997, 1998 and 2001 is shown in table 1.
	In 1998, the Department validated data returns against information held by the Royal Colleges which resulted in the reclassification of some specialities. Therefore, the decrease shown in SHO neurology numbers in 1998 is largely an issue of reclassification rather than a reduction.
	From 2002, data are no longer collected by regional office. Table 2 contains data by strategic health authority.
	
		Table 1: Hospital medical senior house officers in the neurology specialty by region
		
			 As at 30 September 1997 1998 2001 
		
		
			 England 141 119 122 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 25 22 19 
			 Trent 11 7 10 
			 West Midlands 11 12 9 
			 North West 14 14 14 
			 Eastern 8 11 11 
			 London 44 34 34 
			 South East 21 13 14 
			 South Western 7 6 11 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.
	
		Table 2: Hospital medical senior house officers in the neurology specialty by strategic health authority—2002
		
			 As at 30 September Numbers (headcount) 
		
		
			 England 123 
			   
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 3 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 1 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 7 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 4 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 1 
			 Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire 0 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 3 
			 Dorset and Somerset 0 
			 Essex 1 
			 Greater Manchester 6 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 3 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 4 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 8 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 2 
			 North Central London 12 
			 North East London 6 
			 North West London 7 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 7 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 2 
			 South East London 10 
			 South West London 3 
			 South West Peninsula 0 
			 South Yorkshire 8 
			 Surrey and Sussex 2 
			 Thames Valley 10 
			 Trent 1 
			 West Yorkshire 12 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.

NHS Pay

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) nurses and (b) doctors in NHS hospitals were paid on average in 1997; and what they are paid now.

John Hutton: The estimated average amounts per whole-time equivalent paid to nurses and doctors in national health service hospitals in 1997, and the latest estimates, are given in the following table.
	
		£
		
			  1997 2002 
		
		
			 Qualified nurses 18,900 24,400 
			 Doctors in NHS hospitals 40,400 54,500 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health's August 1997 and 2000 NHS staff earnings survey.
	The information in this answer relates to England only. Pay for NHS staff in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved Administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in Northern Ireland.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's research into the use of riluzole for the treatment of motor neurone disease.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance in January 2001 on the use of riluzole in the treatment of motor neurone disease. This guidance is due to be reviewed in 2004. Further details are available on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's research into the diagnosis, management and treatment of Parkinson's disease in primary and secondary care.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently preparing a guideline on the diagnosis, management and treatment of Parkinson's disease in primary and secondary care. The anticipated publication date for the guideline is July 2005. Further details are available from NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's research into the use of (a) lamotrigine, (b) vigabatrin, (c) gabapentin, (d) oxcarbazepine, (e) topiramate and (f) tiagabine for the treatment of epilepsy in (i) children and (ii) adults.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is carrying out appraisals of these drugs and expects to publish its guidance in November 2003. Full details are on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's research into the use of (a) memantine, (b) donepezil, (c) rivastigmine and (d) galantamine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on the use of donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in January 2001. It will be conducting a review of its guidance and expects to publish revised guidance in May 2005. Memantine (for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease) is currently being appraised by NICE. The anticipated publication date of guidance is also May 2005. Full details are available on the website for NICE at www.nice.org.uk.

Radiographers

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole time equivalent radiographers were working in the NHS in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	Sine 1998, the number of whole-time equivalent radiographers employed in the national health service has increased by 670, or 7 per cent.
	
		Whole-time equivalents
		
			 As at 30 Septembereach year All radiographers Diagnostic Therapeutic 
		
		
			 1998 10,193 8,860 1,333 
			 1999 10,368 9,009 1,358 
			 2000 10,478 9,169 1,309 
			 2001 10,655 9,264 1,391 
			 2002 10,863 9,489 1,374 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Rough Sleepers

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of health and improvement modernisation plans set out a policy on rough sleepers.

John Hutton: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are now the lead organisation responsible for planning health care services that better meet local needs. PCTs have the key role, through local delivery plans (LDPs), in representing the national health service in broader local planning arrangements around health improvement and partnerships with key local agencies. PCTs have the freedom to determine locally how they best address issues such as rough sleeping through their LDPs. As it is a matter for local decision making, the Department would not prescribe or monitor centrally how PCTs have locally addressed this particular issue.

Smallpox and TB Vaccines

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with companies involved in the bidding process for contracts to supply (a) smallpox vaccines and (b) TB vaccines; and whether Dr. Paul Drayson was referred to.

John Hutton: The Department awarded a contract for the supply of smallpox vaccine on 11 April 2002. Prior to this, officials from the Department met with Powderject on 22 January 2002 as part of confidential discussions held with the five major pharmaceutical companies known to have smallpox vaccine manufacturing capability.
	The meeting was to inform the companies of our requirements for smallpox vaccine and to find out whether the company was in a position to meet our requirements and if so, to invite them to submit their written proposals for vaccine supply. Since the award of the contract to Powderject, there were regular ad hoc meetings between officials from the Department and the Ministry of Defence with Powderject to resolve matters of detail concerning labelling and packaging and delivery of the vaccine. As all discussions with the company were confidential, the names of those present can not be revealed in accordance with normal policy.
	The Department will shortly be completing a second tranche of smallpox procurement. On 10 January 2003, officials from the Department met with representatives of all companies who had expressed an interest in bidding for the contract. An adjudication meeting was held on 12 May 2003 with representatives of two companies whose bids met the criteria for supply. On 30 July, the Government announced its intention to award the contract to Aventis Pasteur MSD. It is regarded as best practice, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, that the names of those unsuccessful companies who submitted bids are not revealed.
	The Department has had no discussions with companies involved in the bidding process for BCG and Tuberculin PPD. These contract negotiations are dealt with by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency on behalf of the Department.

Waiting Times

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting (a) 0–4 weeks, (b) 4–13 weeks, (c) 13–17 weeks, (d) 17–21 weeks, (e) 21–26 weeks and (f) more than 26 weeks from the receipt of a GP written referral request to a first specialty outpatient attendance in (i) pain management and (ii) ophthalmology in each quarter since Quarter 1 of 1996–97 for each NHS trust and primary care trust and for England as a whole.

John Hutton: The information requested is being held in the Library. Patients still waiting over 26 weeks for first consultant outpatient appointment following general practitioner written referral have reduced from end of quarter 1 1996–97 for the ophthalmology specialty from 4,845 to 3 in quarter 4 2002–03. Prior to quarter 1 1997–98 the pain management specialty was a sub-set of the anaesthetic specialty. For the pain management specialty, the reduction in patients still waiting over 26 weeks was 479 in quarter 1 1997–98 to 0 in quarter 4 2002–03. Monday 8 September 2003

CABINET OFFICE

Government E-services

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his additional duties as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster encompass the Government's UK online agenda responsibilities.

Douglas Alexander: As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster I am responsible to the Sovereign for the administration of the Duchy.
	Among other wider Cabinet Office responsibilities, I am responsible for leading and supporting the e-transformation in government of which UK online is part. This falls to me in my role as Minister for the Cabinet Office with oversight of the Office of the e-Envoy and not in my role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Government E-services

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action he is taking to make more on-line Government services available to people over 65.

Douglas Alexander: Ensuring high levels of take-up of online services by all users is an essential part of the e-government strategy. The Government is acting upon the recommendations of the National Audit Office report, "Progress in making e-services accessible to all—access and use by older people" to ensure that people over 65 are encouraged to take advantage of online services.
	This report highlights that older people are more likely to use online services when they can access them in places they would normally visit, such as libraries and community centres. The Government has established over 6,000 UK online centres in these locations where people can access the internet for free or at low cost with support to help them do so.
	The report also mentions that one factor preventing older people from using the internet, especially among those who have never used computers, is the feeling that it is of no relevance to them. One of the challenges for government is to demonstrate the benefits of the internet to older people. This we have done during the "Get Started" campaign which ran throughout May and June. The retirement pension is just one of the government services regularly used by older people that we are prioritising as part of our e-government programme.

Government E-services

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the recommendations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General in the February report on offering Government services electronically to older people.

Douglas Alexander: The National Audit Office report provided a valuable means of focusing attention on what needs to be done to increase the numbers of older people in the UK accessing and benefiting from the internet and electronic services. My officials in the Office of the e-Envoy are working closely with colleagues at the Department for Education and Skills to look at implementing the report's recommendations.

Government E-services

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on progress made in ensuring that all Government services are available on-line by 2005.

Douglas Alexander: We are committed to ensuring that central government services are made available electronically by 2005 and that key services achieve high levels of use. The latest Electronic Service Delivery survey shows that 63 per cent. of services were e-enabled at the end of 2002 and departments have forecast that they are on track for the 2005 target.

Government E-services

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the number of users in (a) the UK and (b) other countries who access Government services through the internet.

Douglas Alexander: The Office for National Statistics publishes survey results on a quarterly basis of e-government use within the UK. The Office of the e-Envoy published an analysis of international comparisons of e-government use in the 2002 benchmarking study The World's Most Effective Policies for the e-Economy, a copy of which is held in the House Library.

Government E-services

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action he is taking to encourage more people to access Government services through the internet.

Douglas Alexander: The Government's target of getting all e-Government services online by 2005 has been enhanced to include the commitment "with key services achieving high levels of use". In order to achieve this, the Office of the e-Envoy is currently developing a methodology, definitions and targets for each of the key services. In order to encourage further take-up, the Office of the e-Envoy is working with Departments to develop strategies for ensuring maximum use of key services.
	Levels of internet access continue to rise, with 54 per cent. of adults now regular internet users. 47 per cent. of adults using internet in the last 12 months had accessed a government or public authority website (ONS, July 2003). In May we launched the "Get Started" campaign to promote the benefits of the internet to key groups such as the elderly, those with disabilities and the unemployed.
	It is vital that government websites are as accessible and as easy to use as possible. A report, the "Quality Framework for UK Government Website Design", was published on 24 July; it sets out clear guidance for government web managers to ensure they incorporate users' needs in their web design process. The report is available on the Office of the e-Envoy's website (http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/Resources/WebGuidelines/fs/en).

SCOTLAND

Caledonian MacBrayne

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the part played by Caledonian MacBrayne in supporting island economies;
	(2)  when he last met the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss the future of Caledonian MacBrayne ferries;
	(3)  how much grant was provided to Caledonian MacBrayne in each of the last six years;
	(4)  what plans he has to meet employee representatives to discuss the future of Caledonian MacBrayne.

Anne McGuire: Matters affecting the internal Scottish ferry services operated by Caledonian MacBrayne are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and fall within the responsibility of Scottish Ministers.

Campbeltown-Ballycastle Ferry

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of Government support for the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service.

Anne McGuire: Assistance for the ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Electoral Boundaries

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received from the Scottish Executive on difficulties arising out of non-coterminous electoral boundaries in Scotland.

Anne McGuire: No representations have been received recently from the Scottish Executive on non-coterminous constituency boundaries. However, the Executive's response in March 2002 to the Scotland Office's consultation on the size of the Scottish Parliament included its views on the possible difficulties that might arise from having different constituency boundaries between Westminster and Holyrood. These are recorded in the summary of the consultation responses which was placed in the Library of the House on 18 December 2002.

Regional Statistics

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on regional gross value added statistics.

Anne McGuire: The regional gross value added statistics published by the Office for National Statistics provide a useful measure of economic activity across the countries and regions of the UK.

Robin Rigg Wind Farm

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he was consulted by the Scottish Executive before their decision not to grant a public inquiry on the Robin Rigg wind farm.

Anne McGuire: My right. hon. Friend was not consulted by the Scottish Executive on this matter. The functions under the Electricity Act 1989 relating to the determination of applications for consent under section 36 of that Act, including those concerning a Public Local Inquiry, were executively devolved to the Scottish Ministers in 1999 by S.I. 1999/1750.

Rosyth Ferry Terminal

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment has been made of the impact of the Rosyth ferry terminal traffic on the economies of (a) Fife and (b) Scotland.

Anne McGuire: The Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service is Scotland's only direct, daily, passenger and vehicle ferry service to mainland Europe and provides new transport and communication opportunities for business, tourism and freight operations. Assessing the economic impact of the ferry service for Fife and Scotland as a whole is a matter for Scottish Ministers.

Scotland Act

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to amend the Scotland Act 1998 in respect of representation by elected members; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: Section 86 of the Scotland Act 1998 sets out in detail how the reduction in the number of hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies in this House is to be made. The Government has no plans to amend these arrangements.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND

Engagements

Peter Duncan: To ask the Advocate-General how many official Scotland Office engagements she has undertaken in the last 12 months.

Lynda Clark: I have undertaken a number of Scotland Office official engagements over the last 12 months.

PRIME MINISTER

Boundary Commission for Scotland

Peter Duncan: To ask the Prime Minister whether it is his policy that the fifth periodic review of the Boundary Commission for Scotland should be effected before the next general election.

Tony Blair: Implementing the Boundary Commission for Scotland's recommendations on Scottish parliamentary constituencies before the next general election will depend on when the Commission reports and on the date of that election. The Government is required, as soon as may be after the Commission has submitted its report, to lay this before Parliament, together with a draft Order in Council giving effect, with or without modifications, to the report's recommendations.

Chechnya

Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister whether he raised the issue of unauthorised killings by Russians in Chechnya when he met President Putin in June.

Tony Blair: I discussed the situation in Chechnya with President Putin, although this specific issue was not raised.

Downing Street Staff (Security Clearance)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 16 July to the hon. Member for New Forest, East ref. 126089, to what level of clearance Downing Street officials, whose roles may include seeing intelligence material, are vetted.

Tony Blair: All staff are subject to the necessary level of security vetting.

European Constitution

Graham Allen: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the text of the amendments to the draft European Union Constitution which are sought by the United Kingdom.

Denis MacShane: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government's proposed amendments to the Convention's draft Constitutional Treaty are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk).

Iraq

Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the support expressed by Chechen leader Aslam Maskhadov for the US and UK decision to invade Iraq.

Tony Blair: We have noted Mr. Maskhadov's statement.

Iraq

Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 15 July 2003, Official Report, column 173W, on Iraq, what percentage of the total volume of the second dossier he estimates was taken from the three internet articles by Ibrahim al-Marishi, Sean Boyne and Ken Gause.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 15 July 2003, Official Report, columns 173–74W. Sections one and three of the document were based on intelligence material, as were elements of section two which were detailed in Alastair Campbell's supplementary memorandum to the FAC, dated 24 June, Foreign Affairs Committee Report HC 813–11, paragraphs 3 and 6, pages EV10 to 11.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the full text of the legal opinion of the Attorney-General in relation to the war in Iraq.

Tony Blair: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) on 22 May 2003, Official Report, column 914–15W.

Israel

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the recent detention of John Morgan from West Belfast in Israel.

Tony Blair: Mr. Sean O'Muireagain (also known as John Morgan) was arrested in the West Bank on 12 July 2003 and questioned by Israeli security authorities on suspicion of being connected with terrorist activities. The Israeli authorities found no evidence to implicate Mr. O'Muireagain in terrorist activities. He was released on 16 July 2003 and flew back to the UK later the same day. The FCO were in regular contact with Mr. O'Muireagain's family throughout.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Age Discrimination

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on age discrimination.

Malcolm Wicks: In June 1999, the Government published the Code of Practice on Age Diversity. This was issued to employers with the aim of reducing age discrimination in the work place. A programme of research to evaluate the impact of the Code was carried out between March 1999 and December 2000. A full report of the findings from the evaluation was published by my Department in December 2001 entitled "Evaluation of the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment: Report of Research Findings". A copy is available in the Library.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will amend the eligibility criteria for disability benefits for people with autism spectrum disorders.

Maria Eagle: No. People with autism spectrum disorders are entitled to disability living allowance and attendance allowance on the same basis as anyone else with a severe disability. They will qualify if they meet the entitlement conditions for the benefit, which depend on the effects that severe physical or mental disability have on a person's need for personal care and/or their ability to walk and not on particular disabilities or diagnoses.
	The numbers of people receiving the benefits as a result of the effects of autism spectrum disorders are not recorded separately, but are included in the more general category of those with 'learning difficulties'. As at February 2003, over 239,000 people whose main disabling condition is recorded as learning difficulties were receiving disability living allowance.

Child Support (Consolatory Payments)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases have been referred for consideration for consolatory payments in the last year, broken down by month; how many payments have been accepted and made in the last year, broken down by month; what has been the overall cost of such payments; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Mr. Doug Smith, dated September 2003
	The Secretary of State in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You ask how many Child Support Agency cases have been referred for consideration for consolatory payments in the last year broken down by month; how many payments have been accepted and made in the last year broken down by month; and what has been the overall cost of such payments; and if he will make a statement.
	It is not possible to determine the number of referrals made for consideration of consolatory payments, but I can tell you the number of consolatory payments made in 2002/03:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 April 1,012 
			 May 873 
			 June 630 
			 July 853 
			 August 757 
			 September 506 
			 October 673 
			 November 648 
			 December 518 
			 January 752 
			 February 593 
			 March 628 
			 Total 8,443 
		
	
	The overall cost of consolatory payments in 2002/03 was £660,615.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 16 June 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. M. Willingham.

Maria Eagle: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 23 July 2003.

Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress of the work being carried out by his Department on employers' liability compulsory insurance.

Des Browne: The Department published the First Stage Report of its review of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) on 3 June 2003. The report identified a number of significant areas for further action. These include working with interested parties to help develop the basis for more risk-related premiums; working with stakeholders to maximise the benefits for EL of current initiatives within the legal system; engaging with business, industry and other stakeholders to further evaluate the evidence for separating long-term occupational disease risks from accident risks; making rehabilitation play a more central role in the UK workers' compensation system; and reforming the arrangements for enforcement of EL.
	We will report in autumn on the progress that has been made and any further steps we intend to take.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate the Department has made of the eligibility for receipt of the minimum income guarantee among the elderly in the UK; and what his latest estimate is of the take-up rate.

Malcolm Wicks: The latest information is contained in the publication, "Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take Up in 2000–01". A copy is held in the Library.

Pension Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2003, Official Report, column 979W, on pension credit, whether a pensioner who purchases an annuity after making a successful claim for pension credit will have to report that annuity purchase to the Department.

Malcolm Wicks: On applying for pension credit from age 65, pensioners are asked about any changes they expect to their pension income over the next 12 months. If additional income will become available within the next 12 months, but the amount is not yet known, their award will be fixed for reassessment at that date. If a change is expected in more than 12 months, their assessment will be fixed for the full five-year period allowed, during which any increases in pension income will be ignored. People who are entitled to any pension income which they have not yet drawn (including for instance an annuity from a personal pension) are treated as having that income available to them.

Pension Credit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he estimates the average pension credit recipient will receive in pension credit payments per year.

Malcolm Wicks: The average Pension Credit each recipient is estimated to receive per year is £2,250.
	Notes
	1 The estimates were arrived at by dividing forecast expenditure on Pension Credit y the forecast caseload and rounding to the nearest £50.
	2 Estimates relate to 2004–05, the first full year of Pension Credit and are in cash terms.
	3 All figures are based on published forecasts from Budget 2003, and are consistent with the DWP Departmental Report 2003.
	4 These estimates are based on planning assumptions of Pension Credit and should be treated with caution.

Tax Credit Claims Forms

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average time taken to complete claim form TC 600; and what useability tests his Department has undertaken for completing the form.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The time taken to complete a Tax Credits claim form will depend on the particular circumstances of the claimant. Claims for which no further information is required, and which pass the various pre award checks, go through the stages of calculating the award quickly and will normally be in payment within a few days.
	The form was subjected to rigorous usability testing before being introduced. This testing involved a sample number of existing Tax Credit recipients. The form was subjected to rigorous usability testing before being introduced. This testing involved a sample number of existing Tax Credit recipients.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Awards for All (Scotland)

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last received representations from the Scottish Executive on the operation of Awards for All in Scotland; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no representations from the Scottish Executive specifically on the operation of Awards for All in Scotland. However, there was correspondence in June 2003, before we published the National Lottery Funding Decision Document. That document proposes to increase the upper grant limit of Awards for All in England. We believe that given the local community focus of Awards for All, any changes to the programme in other parts of the United Kingdom should be considered separately within Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

BBC Freeview

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proportion of the population of (a) the UK and (b) Scotland who are unable to receive BBC Freeview services.

Estelle Morris: I understand from the BBC that 73.1 per cent. of the UK households can now receive Freeview's services via digital terrestrial television. In Scotland, this figure is higher at 80.5 per cent. of households due to the nature of population distribution. Further information can be found on the website: www.freeview.co.uk.

Channels 4 and 5

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proportion of the UK population who are able to receive (a) Channel 4 and (b) Channel 5.

Estelle Morris: I understand from the ITC that Channel 4 analogue services reach over 99.4 per cent. of the UK population and analogue Five coverage reaches about 80 per cent. of the UK population. Channel 4 and Five services are available across the whole UK via digital satellite and are also delivered by digital terrestrial television and cable. Further information on digital television coverage can be found on the website: www.dtg.org.uk.

Community Fund

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to simplify the system of applying for Community Fund grants.

Estelle Morris: We intend to make it easier for all potential applicants to apply for Lottery funding. The Decision Document on Lottery funding, which DCMS published earlier this month, outlined ways in which the application process could be simplified for all Lottery distributors. Our proposals include making the new community distributor the first port of call for all applicants seeking advice or guidance, expanding the Awards for All scheme and piloting a new micro grants programme, improved turnaround times for smaller grants, and greater standardisation of Lottery application forms, customer care charters and complaints procedures across all distributors.

Departmental Staff

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has for redeployment of members of her Department out of London and the South East.

Richard Caborn: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary (John Healey) on 11 July 2003, Official Report, column 1021W.

Departmental Staff

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) special advisers, (b) press officers, (c) civil servants, (d) advisers to civil servants and (e) permanent staff were working for her Department in each year since 1996.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to Table C of the annual publication 'Civil Service Statistics' which provides staff numbers, including press officers, in each department and agency from 1995 to 2002, copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
	The number of special advisers working in the department since 1996 are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Year (3)Number 
		
		
			 1996 2 
			 1997 2 
			 1998 3 
			 1999 3 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 4 
			 2002 2 
			 2003 2 
		
	
	(3) Total of 10 Special Advisers (full-time equivalents)
	In addition, there have also been two Ministerial Sports Advisers, two Ministerial Tourism Advisers and two Ministerial Music Advisers since 1996.

Environmental Impact

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the Department's policies have been screened for their environmental impact since June 2001; how many environmental appraisals have been conducted, and on what policy issues; and what information has been published about these screenings and appraisals.

Estelle Morris: Environmental impact screening is undertaken as an integral part of the policy making process and separate records are not maintained.
	In respect of legislation, DCMS complies with guidelines by compiling Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) for proposals that have an impact on business, charities and the voluntary sector. RIAs include details of the obvious costs, risks and benefits of the proposal but also the wider economic, social and environmental impacts. There is no separate section within an RIA specifically for environmental impacts, but where a proposal has an impact on the environment, it should be set out in the RIA. The impact will usually be included in the analysis of the costs and benefits of the proposal, or may be covered in the unintended consequences section.

EU Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001.

Richard Caborn: No EU directives have been implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. I have nothing to add to my previous answers of 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 200–01W, and 29 April 2003, Official Report, column 336W.

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the objective will be of the good cause to be helped by the new lottery fund which will supersede the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund; and what types of organisations are planned to be its principal beneficiaries.

Estelle Morris: The Department's Decision Document on Lottery funding, published earlier this month, confirmed our intention to create a new community distributor, which will take on the functions of both the Community Fund and New Opportunities Fund. It is proposed that the new distributor will act as a fund for transformation, supporting projects to revitalise and regenerate communities, particularly those at greatest disadvantage, across the UK. As with the two existing distributors, funding will be available to a wide range of organisations, with the focus being on projects which transform communities.

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what interim arrangements she intends to put in place for the creation of the new lottery fund which will supersede the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund.

Estelle Morris: The Department's decision Document on Lottery funding, published earlier this month, confirmed our intention to create a new community distributor, which will take on the functions of both the Community Fund and New Opportunities Fund. Legislation will be needed fully to establish the new distributor. The two bodies have welcomed the proposal, and in the interim period have agreed to work together to look at bringing together their administrative and operational functions over the coming months.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total balance held by each of the Lottery distributors was on 17 July; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Distributor Balance (£) 
		
		
			 Heritage Lottery Fund 982,700,272.70 
			 Community Fund 256,374,661.71 
			 Millennium Commission 198,814,261.94 
			 New Opportunities Fund 851,399,441.55 
			 Arts Council of England 234,702,785.11 
			 Arts Council of Scotland 47,396,474.64 
			 Arts Council of Wales 29,444,506.67 
			 Arts Council of Northern Ireland 34,505,269.50 
			 Film Council 71,454,508.56 
			 Scottish Screen 914,754.59 
			 Sport England 246,332,374.13 
			 Sport Scotland 75,419,089.41 
			 Sports Council of Wales 27,875,487.54 
			 Sports Council of Northern Ireland 22,326,010.34 
			 UK Sport 928,373.01 
			 Total 3,080,588,271.40 
		
	
	The total balance as at the end of June 2003 was the lowest month end balance since August 1997. All of this money has been committed to projects by distributors.
	This Department recently published the National Lottery Funding Decision Document, which sets out a number of proposals aimed at reducing further the balances held by distributors. These include issuing guidance on balance management to distributors and revising the Financial Directions distributors operate under in order to speed up the funding of smaller, low risk projects. There are also a number of other proposals which would require legislation. I have placed copies of the document in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to review the system whereby projects can only be supported by the National Lottery for a set period of time.

Estelle Morris: There are no plans at present to review the period of support for projects by the lottery. Funding is generally time-limited and usually for a maximum of three years. Following extensive consultations last year, however, the Heritage Lottery Fund extended the length of the maximum period of support for their revenue projects from three to five years. There is an opportunity for grants to be renewed to allow projects to continue in operation but such follow-on funding is unlikely to be repeated indefinitely.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her projected timescale for implementing common branding for National Lottery supported projects.

Estelle Morris: The Government recognise that the simplest way of establishing the necessary link between buying a Lottery ticket and funding a Lottery project is to use the same brand for both. The Lottery Distributors are currently working with Camelot to develop an appropriate design. It is expected that, from autumn 2004, this will be offered on a voluntary basis to projects which have received Lottery funding. The display of the logo will then become mandatory for most future Lottery awards. Over a longer timescale, other ways of using the crossed fingers logo throughout the whole distribution process will be explored.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff are employed on the Young People's Fund of the National Lottery.

Estelle Morris: The Department announced that we were considering setting up a Young People's Fund, and the Decision Document published earlier this month confirmed that this will be fully established within a year, with an initial budget of £200 million. It is envisaged that the Fund will initially be managed by the New Opportunities Fund, but we have not yet reached the stage where staff have been allocated specifically to run the scheme.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proportion of National Lottery ticket sales made to (a) the young and (b) low income groups.

Estelle Morris: The available information is contained in an independent report on expenditure on the National Lottery (undertaken by Kerry Sproston) which was commissioned by the National Lottery Commission and published earlier this year. The report indicated that 17 per cent. of those aged 16–24 participated in the National Lottery, which was the lowest rate of participation for any age range. It also indicated that those on the lowest incomes (below £9,499 per annum) spent significantly less per week than those on incomes above this.
	The report is available on the Commission's website www.natlotcom.gov.uk. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the extent of (a) overlap and (b) duplication in the work of the (i) Community Fund and (ii) New Opportunities Fund.

Estelle Morris: The Department's Decision Document on Lottery funding, published earlier this month, confirmed our intention to create a new community distributor, which will take on the functions of both the Community Fund and New Opportunities Fund. We believe there is significant overlap between the work of the two distributors, particularly in supporting local communities and the voluntary sector. The new distributor is intended to take advantage of these synergies to transform the lives of local people and communities across the UK.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her policy on designating a National Lottery Day.

Estelle Morris: The Government's proposal for a National Lottery Day is designed to provide an annual focus on the Lottery and its achievements, to let the public see what their lottery money goes to fund. It will be an opportunity for Lottery funded projects throughout the UK wherever possible to open their doors or otherwise celebrate the Lottery's contribution. The exact form the day will take is still to be finalised, but it will have a strong regional and local focus and major prizes will be available to players.

National Lottery

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the options being considered for giving the devolved Administrations more influence over how National Lottery funding is allocated.

Estelle Morris: Our provisional view is that we should retain a UK structure for distribution but that the devolved Administrations should have more influence in setting specific priorities and strategies, taking account of the needs and wishes of local communities and service providers there. We will consider how this should be done, consulting with devolved Administrations before coming to a final decision.

OFCOM

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total salary budget is of OFCOM.

Estelle Morris: OFCOM are currently in the process of matching staff across from the existing regulators and, where necessarily, recruiting competitively. The pay bill for OFCOM in 2004–05 is projected, on a like for like basis, to be 5 per cent. below estimates of the combined salary bills for staff in the existing regulators.

Playing Fields

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether a formal review of the work of the Playing Fields Monitoring Group is planned.

Richard Caborn: Not at present.

Playing Fields

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the next set of playing field statistics will be published; and whether these will include comparative statistics for the last two years.

Richard Caborn: The 2002–03 playing fields statistics will be published shortly. They will be published in a form similar to the 2001–02 figures published on 14 July 2003, which will allow for easy comparison.

Public Service Contracts

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many public service contracts were awarded by her Department (a) in total and (b) to small and medium enterprises in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The public service contracts awarded since 1997 for the Department and its Agency, with the number of contracts awarded each year to SMEs are as follows.
	
		
			 Year Number of Contracts SMEs 
		
		
			  Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
			 2003: (a) 26 (b) 11 
			 2002: (a) 36 (b) 10 
			 2001: (a) 34 (b) 19 
			 2000: (a) 26 (b) 11 
			 1999: (a) 38 (b) 10 
			 1998: (a) 61 (b) 28 
			 1997: (a) 20 (b) 9 
			  Royal Parks Agency 
			 2003: (a) 7 (b) 5 
			 2002: (a) 14 (b) 7 
			 2001: (a) 4 (b) 2 
			 2000: (a) 12 (b) 4 
			 1999: (a) 7 (b) 1 
			 1998: (a) 10 (b) 5 
			 1997: (a) 10 (b) 7

Scottish Land Fund

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of future demand for grants from the Scottish Land Fund.

Estelle Morris: The New Opportunities Fund's Scottish Land Fund programme has generated strong interest among rural communities in Scotland in its first two years of operation. 129 applications have been made to the Scottish Land Fund to date, and 103 of these have been successful. The Fund currently receives around 20 eligible inquiries for funding per month and it estimates that this level of demand is likely to continue throughout the lifetime of the programme.

Secondment

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is on employing secondees from the private sector; how many secondees from the (a) private and (b) public sectors her Department employed in each year since 1997; from which companies and organisations they were seconded; at what level they were employed; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport welcomes inward interchange from both the private and public sectors in our areas of responsibility. It enables us to build effective relationships through sharing and exchanging people, ideas and expertise and also fosters a more diverse environment in which we can draw on the experience and ideas of people from a wide range of backgrounds.
	The Department has had no members of staff seconded from the private sector since May 1997.
	The information in respect of secondees from the public sector is contained in the following table. Grades are given in the old unified grading system.
	
		
			 Datestarted Secondment from Grade 
		
		
			 1997 NDPB HEO/SEO 
			 1998 Local authority Principal 
			  Eastern Arts SCS 
			  Arts Council for England EO 
			  Arts Council for England Principal 
			  PACE HEO/SEO 
			  Comm. for Architecture and Built Environment HEO/SEO 
			  English Sports Council HEO/SEO 
			 1999 Local Government Association Principal 
			  National Heritage Memorial Fund EO 
			  English Heritage Principal 
			  National Heritage Memorial Fund EO 
			  National Heritage Memorial Fund EO 
			  National Heritage Memorial Fund HEO/SEO 
			  National Heritage Memorial Fund EO 
			  National Heritage Memorial Fund HEO/SEO 
			 2000 French Government Principal 
			  London borough grants Principal 
			  British Library AA/AO 
			 2001 Oxford city council Principal 
			  British Library EO 
			  Prince's Trust HEO/SEO 
			  English Heritage EO 
			  National Campaign for Arts EO 
			  Comm. for Architecture and Built Environment EO 
			 2002 Sport England Principal 
			  Comm. for Health Improvement HEO/SEO 
			  British Museum HEO/SEO 
			  Hackney council HEO/SEO 
			  British Library HEO/SEO 
			  Arts Council EO 
			  National Lottery Commission Principal 
			  British Museum HEO/SEO 
			 2003 English Heritage EO 
			  English Heritage HEO/SEO 
			  V & A Museum EO 
			  Historic Manuscripts Commission EO 
			  English Heritage EO

Supporters Direct

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money she has given to Supporters Direct to promote more democratic participation in the management of football clubs; and what related discussions she has had with the Football Association on the conversion of football clubs to mutual organisations.

Richard Caborn: The Government launched Supporters Direct in 2000 to assist and advise supporters' trust groups to get involved in the responsible running of clubs. Most Premier and Football League clubs now have club trusts, and majority shareholdings are now held by supporters' representatives at three clubs. Supporters Direct received £250,000 a year in public funding for 2000–01 to 2002–03, and will receive core funding of £325,000 for 2003–04. These amounts were, and will be, "top-sliced" from the Football Foundation's income from the Reduction in Pool Betting Duty.
	Supporters Direct has recently become an Industrial and Provident Society organised along mutual lines, and has suggested that professional football clubs could also benefit from the adoption of that status. I intend to discuss the issue with the football authorities once they have considered that suggestion in detail.

Tourism

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action the Government are taking to make the British tourism industry more competitive.

Richard Caborn: The Government are encouraging competitiveness in the tourism industry by concentrating on measures that will encourage improvements to the quality of the product offered by individual tourism businesses through improvement in the skills base across the sector and encouraging effective investment in quality.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works with other Whitehall Departments to ensure that issues such as planning policy reform meets the industry's needs and removes barriers to investment in the more productive types of tourism businesses. The Department is also represented on the board of the Best Practice Forum, which is part-funded by the Department for Trade and Industry. The Forum's Profit Through Productivity initiative provides business and enterprise support for the sector and aims to raise competitiveness and productivity across the sector.

Tourism

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contribution in percentage terms was made by tourism in the South West to GDP in each financial year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: Sub-national data of tourism's contribution to GDP are not generally available. South West Tourism is however currently producing a report on the economic value of tourism to the region which, I understand, is due to be published within the next month.

Tourism

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tourists from overseas visited the South West in each financial year since 1997; and what percentage of overseas tourists to the UK this represented in each case.

Richard Caborn: These data are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Financial year Staying visits by overseas tourists to the South West (million) As a percentage of all staying visits by overseas tourists to the UK (percentage) 
		
		
			 1997–98 1.88 9.0 
			 1998–99 2.04 9.3 
			 1999–2000 1.97 8.4 
			 2000–01 1.99 8.6 
			 2001–02(4) 1.73 8.4 
		
	
	(4) Provisional
	Source:
	International Passenger Survey, National Statistics

TV Licences (Northern Ireland)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people have television licences in Northern Ireland.

Estelle Morris: The number of television licences in force in Northern Ireland as at 31 March 2003 was 546,000, excluding Accommodation for Residential Care composite form licences, records for which are not available for individual nations and regions.

TV Licences (Northern Ireland)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many prosecutions there were in 2002 for failure to hold a television licence in Northern Ireland.

Estelle Morris: The number of prosecutions proceeded with by TV Licensing in Northern Ireland in 2002 for installation or use of television without a licence was 1,448.

World Sports Events

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote the United Kingdom as a venue for world sports events.

Richard Caborn: The Government are in the process of developing a long-term major events strategy aimed at attracting further world class sporting events to the UK. This plan will enable us to identify suitable major events and will help us to develop effective strategies to improve our chances of bidding for these events successfully.
	On 15 May 2003, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's decision to support a bid to host the Olympics and Paralympics in London in 2012. We will work enthusiastically with the other stakeholders, the Mayor of London, and the British Olympic Association, and with London 2012, to ensure that the bid to bring the Games to London and the United Kingdom is a winning one.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

No Win, No Fee Cases

Brian Cotter: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the insurance industry of legal costs in relation to no win, no fee cases.

David Lammy: Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs), the most common type of 'no win no fee' agreements, were first introduced in 1995. In April 2000 success fees and after the event insurance premiums were made recoverable from the losing party to help redress the problem of the legal system being open only to people who were legally aided or who had adequate private means. The intention was to make it easier and more affordable for a wider range of people to enforce their rights. The reforms also provided defendants and their insurers with a fairer system by which to recover costs in successfully defended cases, whereas under Legal Aid, defendants were rarely entitled to recover costs from their legally aided opponent. The reforms provided increased deterrents to the bringing or defending of weak claims and stronger incentives for parties to settle cases early and cheaply because of the increased potential liability in costs.
	It is not possible to say yet whether legal costs to insurers have increased directly as a result of the introduction of CFAs, recoverable success fees and ATE insurance premiums. Recent research by Fenn, Gray and Rickman (January 2003) for the Civil Justice Council on the cost of road traffic accident cases up to £15,000 in value found that data on costs and damages from around April 2002 onwards showed large fluctuations in the volume and duration of settled claims and could not be relied upon. However, the research did indicate that there seemed to be little difference between CFA and non-CFA claims with respect to agreed base costs and disbursements, and that success fees and ATE premiums remain a relatively small part of overall costs recovered from insurers.
	The OFT commented in its recent fact finding study of the liability insurance market that it seemed unlikely the cost of individual claims has risen substantially as a result of the reforms and it was unclear whether they have had a significant impact on the frequency of claims. The OFT also said that while it had frequently been suggested the number of claims has risen because the reforms have made the claiming process easier and associated publicity has drawn more attention to the availability of compensation, the evidence for this was in fact largely anecdotal.

EU Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department and its predecessors since 8 June 2001.

David Lammy: No Directives have been implemented by the Department for Constitutional Affairs or the former Lord Chancellor's Department in the period from 8 June 2001.

European Constitution

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European Union about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European Constitution.

David Lammy: As part of the normal Whitehall process, I and my officials have had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. We have also had regular contact with Member and Accession States to discuss issues arising in the Convention. In line with exemptions 1 and 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the normal practice of Governments to disclose details about internal discussions, or information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs.

Judicial Appointments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what research he has commissioned into judicial appointments since Judicial Appointments: the European and North American end to possible implications for the United Kingdom, published in 1997.

Christopher Leslie: My Department has not commissioned further external research on this matter. However, in drafting the consultation paper on the new Judicial Appointments Commission, Department for Constitutional Affairs officials carried out research using a variety of sources, which included making inquiries via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in order to make any necessary amendments to update the information contained in the 1997 papers.

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the (a) foreign and (b) UK visits the Secretary of State has made since 1st April; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; who he met; and what gifts were received.

Christopher Leslie: The Government publishes the overall costs of all Ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 on an annual basis. The list for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 was published by the Prime Minister on 16 July 2003 Official Report column 327W. The next list for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 will be published at the end of the financial year.
	In respect of gifts received, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 March 2003, Official Report, column 482W.
	With regards to domestic visits undertaken since 1 April 2003, the Lord Chancellor visited the Channel Islands at a cost of £1713.43 where he met members of the Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark Governments. He received a miniature milk churn, a tie, a paperweight and a book about Jersey.
	He also visited Stratford-upon-Avon, at a cost of £288.00, where he met members of the Justices' Clerks' Society; Manchester, at a cost of £807.00, where he met members of the North West Law Centres Federation and the Solicitors Pro Bono Group; Hemsworth, at a costof £769.35, where he met various members of the public, and, the Isle of Man, at a cost of £551.32, where he met Her Majesty The Queen, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and representatives of the Manx Government.
	The Lord Chancellor also visited Belfast, at a cost of £311.05, where he met the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland; Edinburgh, at a cost of £358.00, where he met Lord Cullen and Lord Gill; Preston, at a cost of £513.30, where he met members of the Lancashire Local Criminal Justice Board; and, Newcastle, at a cost of £877.43, where he met members of the Northumbrian Local Criminal Justice Board.

Office for the Supervision of Solicitors

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he established the most recent review of the work of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors.

David Lammy: The Department continuously monitors the situation at the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (OSS) closely. The most recent large-scale review of the work of the OSS was completed in July.

School Exclusions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many unsuccessful judicial appeals against fixed term exclusions from secondary schools in the UK have proceeded to the High Court in the last five years; and what has been the legal cost of defending these cases.

David Lammy: The information requested is not collected centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Taylor House

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many cases were dealt with at Taylor House on Monday 14 July.

David Lammy: On Monday 14 July the Immigration Appellate Authority at Taylor House dealt with 90 oral substantive hearings of which 80 were asylum hearings and 10 were immigration hearings.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Housing

James Gray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his plans are for affordable housing in the South West region; and whether he plans to increase investment in the region in the next comprehensive spending review.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister plans for affordable housing in the South West region were set out in "Sustainable Communities in the South West" (February 2003).
	Funding for the provision of affordable housing in the South West has increased to £81 million for 2003–04, compared to just under £62 million for 2002–03. The programme is expected to deliver around 2,000 new affordable homes for the region in 2003–04.
	From 2004–05 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is strengthening the role of the regions to ensure housing investment is targeted more effectively on local and regional investment priorities. Regional Housing Boards will advise on the best use of resources to support identified priorities in regional housing strategies.
	Decisions on future investment plans cannot be taken in advance of the next spending review.

Communities Plan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the numbers of trained people needed in the building industry with reference to the Communities Plan; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Communities Plan is clear that, in order to deliver my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's vision of thriving, sustainable communities, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister needs to increase skills and capacity across the building industry.
	Sir John Egan has therefore been asked to conduct a review of the skills and training that built-environment professionals required to deliver sustainable communities. He will consider what skills these groups need to work collaboratively and how any skills gap can best be bridged.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also working with other Government Departments, agencies and the building industry to address the issues that are preventing young people from making construction their career of first choice.

EU Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001.

Keith Hill: No European Union directives have been implemented by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister since its creation in May 2002. We are in the course of implementing Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects on the environment of certain plans and programmes (the "strategic environmental assessment Directive"), and Directive 2002/91/EC on the energy performance of buildings.

Green Burial Sites

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to issue planning policy guidance to local authorities on green burial sites.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to issue specific policy guidance on 'green' burial sites.

Homeless Population

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on the (a) size and (b) condition of the homeless population.

Keith Hill: The most recent national estimate of the number of rough sleepers was derived from the 2002 Housing Investment Programme return from local authorities and shows a figure of 596—based on single night street counts and estimates.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's latest Statistical Release on statutory homelessness, from returns to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by local authorities covering figures for England up to the end of March 2003, was published on 17 June.
	Information summarised in Table 4, "Acceptances by category of Priority Need", shows that 129,320 households were accepted as homeless and in priority need by local authorities in England during 2002–03.
	National and regional P1E-based figures—which include estimates for non-responding local authorities —appear in a quarterly Statistical Release, available in the Library of the House and via the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website. An accompanying Supplementary Table presents key data at regional and local authority level. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website link is http://www.housing. odpm.gov.uk/statistics/publicat/homelessness/index.htm_quarterly
	In May the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued a consultation document on "Improving Standards of Accommodation for Homeless Households in Temporary Accommodation". This seeks views on proposals to give the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Bed and Breakfasts target full statutory force and to raise standards in all forms of temporary accommodation, particularly Bed and Breakfasts and to ensure that households in Bed and Breakfast hotels have access to health education and social services.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working closely with the Department of Health to tackle the health inequalities that homeless people face as outlined in "Tackling Health Inequalities—A programme for Action".

Local Authority Staff

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many whole-time equivalent staff posts there were in each local authority in England in the last year for which figures are available.

Keith Hill: The Local Government Employment Survey 2002 conducted by the Employers Organisation for Local Government found that as of June 2002 there were 2,023,983 employee jobs in local authorities in England. I have placed a breakdown of this figure, showing the number of employees in each local authority in England as at June 2002, in the Library of the House.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Leader of the House if he will list the (a) foreign and (b) UK visits he has made since 1 April; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; whom he met; and what gifts were received.

Peter Hain: As Leader of the House of Commons, I have not made any foreign or UK visits.

Written Ministerial Statements

Adrian Flook: To ask the Leader of the House how many written ministerial statements were made on each day during the 2002–03 Session.

Peter Hain: From the start of the 2003–03 session until 17 July inclusive, 1,103 written ministerial statements have been made. This is, on average, 8 per sitting day.

WALES

Consultation Documents

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the consultation documents issued by the Wales Office in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation.

Don Touhig: The information is not readily available in the format requested. However since its creation in July 1999 the Wales Office has undertaken these consultations:
	July 1999. Countryside and Rights of Way Bill. 81 responses.
	December 1999. "Key issues and options for dealing with the problems caused by high hedges". 142 responses.
	February 2000. "Greater Protection and Better Management of Common Land in England and Wales".
	April 2000. "Amendments to the Government's Proposals for New Assisted Areas". 104 documents issued at no cost to the Wales Office and 18 representations received.
	July 2000. "Proposals to change the Administration of the Housing Transfer Programme".
	March 2001. "Government Proposal for the Reform of Business Tenancies" (jointly with Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions).
	May 2002. "Draft NHS (Wales) Bill". 42 responses received.
	June 2002. "Draft Mental Health Bill" (jointly with Department of Health).
	June 2002. Timing of Rent Increases Regulatory Reform Order (jointly)
	August 2002. "Draft Welsh Language Scheme for the Wales Office". Seven responses received.
	2002. Regulatory Reform (Housing Management Agreements) Order. 51 responses received.
	December 2002. "Ombudsmen's services in Wales: Time for Change?" Cost some £700. Some 700 copies issued and 50 responses received.
	April 2003. "Draft Public Audit (Wales) Bill". Over 130 documents were issued. 15 responses were received.
	July 2003. "Proposals for a Regulatory Reform Order to enable the Welsh Administration Ombudsman to undertake investigations as Commissioner for Local Administration in Wales".

NHS Treatment Delays

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and the Welsh Assembly concerning a definition for an unreasonable period of delay for treatment within the NHS, as phrased in the European Court of Justice ruling on treatment of patients abroad for patients from Wales.

Don Touhig: Treatment under the national health service is a matter in Wales for the National Assembly for Wales. The National Assembly for Wales is in regular contact with the Department of Health and the other UK health departments with regard to EU and other international health matters.

Race Relations

Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in his Department and non-departmental public bodies on implementing the requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000; and if he will publish the results of the monitoring required by the Act.

Peter Hain: On this matter the Wales Office will implement the policies of the Department for Constitutional Affairs and I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her on 1 September 2003, Official Report, column 782W, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's regulatory impact assessment procedure; and how many RIAs have been reviewed in respect of the Department over the last year.

Don Touhig: A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is completed for all Wales Office regulatory proposals that have more than a negligible impact on businesses, charities or the voluntary sector.
	No RIAs have been reviewed in respect of the Department in the last year.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Peter Hain: A Wales Office special adviser accompanied the Secretary of State to Spain in April 2002 and to France in July 2002. The costs of these trips by the special adviser was some £900 and some £700 respectively.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces (Logistic Support)

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent steps he has taken to enhance the cost-effectiveness of the logistic support to the armed forces.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Telford (David Wright) on 8 September 2003, Official Report, column 18.

Royal Navy (Procurement)

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress on the procurement of new ships for the Royal Navy.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has embarked on the largest procurement programme of new ships for the Royal Navy in many years. There are currently some 10 projects at various stages of the procurement process. In the last three years, 15 new ships have been ordered, comprising six Type 45 destroyers, four Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary), two survey vessels and three offshore patrol vessels. Future plans include the purchase of two new aircraft carriers, further ASTUTE class submarines and Type 45 destroyers, the future surface combatant and a number of support vessels.

Armed Forces (Register of Electors)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to ensure that service men and women are aware of the requirement to renew their entry on the armed forces register of electors on an annual basis.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence issues an annual Defence Council Instruction explaining voting arrangements in detail to all members of the armed forces. The last was issued on 31 January 2003.

Accommodation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on expenditure on improvements and furnishings for the accommodation assigned to commanding officers; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The Defence Housing Executive (DHE)'s Key Targets require it to upgrade all of the core stock of Service Family Accommodation in Great Britain to Standard 1 for Condition, as funding allows. In this respect, no distinction is made between houses lived in by commanding officers and those lived in by any other service personnel and their families.
	All Service personnel are entitled to furnished accommodation, with the furnishings provided being of a standard quality, regardless of the occupant's rank. The exceptions to this are very senior officers and officers who hold 'Command Appointments', where, due to their appointment, they are required to provide official entertainment, and so they are entitled to have an enhanced standard of furnishings in public areas. Maintenance of furnishings in all properties is carried out within funding constraints, and items are only replaced when they become unserviceable.

Armed Forces (Electoral Registration)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that members of Her Majesty's armed forces are aware of the new requirement to register to vote on an annual basis.

Ivor Caplin: It is the individual responsibility of each member of the armed forces to register to vote annually. The Ministry of Defence issues an annual Defence Council Instruction explaining this requirement in detail. The last was issued on 31 January 2003.

Armed Forces (Electoral Registration)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures have been put in place to facilitate annual entry on the Service register of electors for Servicemen and women who are overseas or on active Service.

Ivor Caplin: It is the individual responsibility of each member of the armed forces to register to vote annually. Service personnel overseas can choose to register as Service voters by means of a Service declaration, but they can then only vote by proxy. Those who choose to register on their local electoral register will be able to vote either by post or proxy if they are overseas or away from home during any election. Every effort is made by ships, units, and stations to give reasonable assistance to personnel overseas to register or vote in line with their individual electoral registration choice.

Armed Forces (Electoral Registration)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of HM armed forces were registered to vote on the Service register of electors in each of the last three years.

Ivor Caplin: Information on the number of registered Service voters is no longer held centrally. With the introduction of the new voting arrangements from 16 February 2001, those armed forces personnel that now choose to be Service registered voters register annually with the individual electoral registration officers of their choice.

Armed Forces (Community Support)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to maintain a military presence in each area of the UK for the purposes of (a) recruitment and (b) community support.

Adam Ingram: For the purposes of recruitment, a military presence is maintained in each area of the United Kingdom by way of the nationwide network of Armed Forces Careers Offices and satellite recruiting offices, totalling over 130 recruiting offices. In addition all three Services' Schools and Recruiting Presentation Teams, and Ethnic Minority Recruiting and Diversity Action Teams remain highly proactive; they will continue with their full programme of visits to schools, colleges, careers fairs and exhibitions, graduate fairs, regional and local communities, youth clubs, local events exhibitions and sporting events, the length and breadth of the country.
	The armed forces provide, and will continue to provide, a broad range of support across the country to the community. This includes support through a wide range of youth and educational programmes, such as Skill Force and the Army Cadet Force Outreach programme.
	The Department is committed to providing military assistance to civil authorities across the country in response to emergencies—for example, the response to foot and mouth disease. Operation FRESCO, Search and Rescue, and bomb disposal. Civil Contingencies Reaction Forces (CCRFs) are also being formed in each region to enhance our ability to support the police and other authorities during civil emergencies. The CCRFs are drawn from the Armed Forces Reserves for a number of reasons, including the fact that the Reserves 'footprint' across the country matches more closely the centres of population than the footprint of the Regular forces.

Body Armour

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether all front line unit personnel serving on Operation Telic had body armour before combat operations started;
	(2)  what kind of body armour was issued to soldiers serving with the Seventh Armoured Brigade in Basra; whether there was a reissue; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The majority of 7 Armoured Brigade had full combat armour at the start of combat operations. Body armour consists of a fabric cover and filler which confers a level of ballistic protection, and additional ceramic plates which provide an enhanced level of protection.
	Over 36,000 full sets of Enhanced Combat Body Armour were delivered to theatre, enough for all personnel who needed it. However, not all units received ceramic plates due to supply difficulties within theatre. To minimise any operational risk that might have resulted, approximately 500 sets of Enhanced Combat Body Armour were reallocated to units assessed to have higher operational need.

Bosnia

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to further reduce the number of troops serving in Bosnia.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom remains committed to safeguarding the security and stability of the Balkans, and continues to play a full role in the international community's objectives for the region.
	No reductions are planned for the UK's contribution to the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which currently stands at 1,400 troops. NATO is currently conducting its autumn Periodic Mission Review (PMR), which will consider the NATO force structure. The UK will review its force contribution to SFOR in the light of the PMR's recommendations.

Drinking Water Coolant

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision was made during (a) TELIC 1 and (b) TELIC 2 for the provision of drinking water coolant.

Adam Ingram: Throughout the deployment and subsequent operations in both Kuwait and Iraq during Operations TELIC 1 and 2, bottled drinking water has been provided through the Ministry of Defence Food Supply Contractor. The quantities supplied have been consistent with the medical advice provided at the time. Sources of supply are subject to stringent quality controls to ensure that supplies meet, or exceed, EU quality standards. At static locations, where operational conditions allow, water is stored in refrigerated containers.

Drummore Harbour

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to dredge Drummore harbour; and for what reason the timescale has been changed.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence has no plans to dredge Drummore harbour.

Entertainment

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he has entertained Labour hon. Members at public expense in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

Ivor Caplin: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence hosted the annual Defence Council Reception to which Members of all parties with a defence interest were invited. A small reception was also held for all Members of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee. The combined cost of these two functions was £7,848.
	Defence Ministers also host lunches and dinners for foreign defence Ministers who are visiting the United Kingdom on official business. A Member with a connection to that country, for example the Chair of an all-Party group, may be invited to this even irrespective of party.
	Any other expenditure is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure incurred is in accordance with Paragraph 65 of the Ministerial Code.

Equal Opportunities

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his plans are for increasing the recruitment of women to the armed services; whether he has set a target; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The Armed Forces do not operate separate recruiting targets for women and recruiting initiatives are generally gender free. Nevertheless, the Services' recruiting organisation includes female personnel to assist a fair gender representation in recruiting activities. Furthermore all three Services have School Presentation and Recruiting Teams which visit many schools, including girl-only schools, each year. Recruit advertising also appears in female orientated magazines.
	These and other initiatives helped the Armed Forces to recruit 3,230 women in 2002–03, an increase of 540 over the previous year.

European Rapid Reaction Force

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the European Rapid Reaction Force.

Geoff Hoon: Most of the 144 Capability targets which make up the Headline Goal have been met but there remain areas of significant shortfalls, some in key areas such as strategic lift, support helicopters and air-to-air refuelling. At Thessaloniki in June, the European Council agreed that the EU now has operational capability across the full range of Petersberg Tasks, limited and constrained by recognised shortfalls, which can be alleviated by the further development of the EU's military capabilities.
	Although EU nations are strengthening their military capabilities, there is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force nor any EU agreement to create one. Existing national or multinational forces, declared under the Helsinki Headline Goal, will be made available to the EU on a voluntary, case-by-case basis when required for a crisis management operation.

HMS St. Albans

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it cost to repair HMS St. Albans; what costs were recovered from the ferry company involved; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The total cost of the repairs to HMS St. Albans has yet to be finalised but is expected to be in the region of £2,5 million. The process to recover costs has started.

Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Vessels

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the extent to which his Department's PFI partner, Vosper Thornycroft, was responsible for the delay in the building of (a) HMS Echo and (b) HMS Enterprise.

Adam Ingram: An assessment of the extent to which the prime contractor, Vosper Thornycroft, is responsible for delays in building these vessels has been completed by the Ministry of Defence and the conclusions discussed and agreed with the company. I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 7 (Effective Management and Operations of the Public Service) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
	The Survey Vessels contract is not under PFI terms, although Vosper Thornycroft is a PFI partner of the Ministry of Defence on other contracts.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers have been airlifted out of Iraq suffering from heat exhaustion.

Ivor Caplin: Since the start of military operations in Iraq, around 160 soldiers have been evacuated from Iraq suffering from heat-related illness.

Iraq

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on measures to secure Iraq's borders.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Bracknell (Mr. Mackay), 8 September 2003, Official Report, columns 3–4.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates and circumstances of civilian deaths in (a) Basra and (b) Umm Qasr since 20 March which have involved British military personnel.

Adam Ingram: We make every effort to minimise the impact of military operations on the Iraqi civilian population. We do not, and could not, record the numbers of Iraqi military personnel or civilians that have been killed or injured during the coalition's military action.

Iraq

Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) armed Services personnel, (b) other non-Iraqi personnel and (c) Iraqi personnel are involved in maintaining peace and law and order in Iraq; in which areas these personnel operate; and if he will list (i) violent incidents in which they have been involved, (ii) fatalities and (iii) casualties since 23 April 2003.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 3 July 2003
	There are some 160 United Kingdom Royal Military Police and Military Police operating in Iraq at present, assisting in maintaining law and order in southern Iraq. The Coalition Provisional Authority reports that there are some 31,000 Iraqi police now at work across Iraq. We do not centrally record the number of violent incidents in Iraq. But 17 UK Service personnel have died since 23 April 2003.

Iraq

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Military Policemen are deployed in Iraq; what their role is; and if he will make a statement on what protection is afforded to them whilst carrying out their tasks.

Adam Ingram: As of 28 August 2003, there were approximately 180 Royal Military Police (RMP) in theatre serving on Operation Telic. Their duties include Force Protection, liaison with host nations, Prisoner-of-War handling, Close Protection and general police duties at military establishments. The Special Investigations Branch, which investigates incidents and allegations involving members of the UK armed forces, is also part of the RMP. Members of the RMP are afforded force protection measures appropriate to the duties they are carrying out.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the intelligence sources to which reference is made in the section on intelligence, at page 15 of his Department's recent report on first reflections on operations in Iraq, include the intelligence sources drawn upon in the preparation of the dossiers on Iraq's military capabilities published in (a) September 2002 and (b) February 2003 by the Government.

Adam Ingram: The intelligence sources referred to in the Ministry of Defence's Iraq First Reflections Report are all the intelligence sources available to support the planning and conduct of the military operation including defence intelligence, intelligence from national agencies and intelligence from allies. However, the report's focus is on the intelligence on Iraqi military intentions in the period immediately before and during the conflict. The Government's Assessment of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction described the role of intelligence in Part 1, Chapter 1 which lists the principal sources as the United Kingdom's intelligence and analysis agencies and intelligence from close allies.

Iraq

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for the installation of air conditioning at Ministry of Defence troop bases in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: At present, approximately half of all United Kingdom Service personnel deployed in Iraq have access to air-conditioned accommodation. Work is continuing to provide further air conditioning in accommodation areas throughout the area of operations. The majority of personnel should be provided with air-conditioned accommodation by the end of September 2003.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Government's reply to the 56th Report from the Public Accounts Committee, Session 2001–02, what measures were taken, prior to the war in Iraq, to (a) invest in equipment, (b) raise awareness throughout the land forces and (c) refine tactics, techniques and procedures to improve Combat Identification in the land environment.

Geoff Hoon: Combat Identification is fundamental to combat effectiveness and enables us to minimise the risk of fratricide. We therefore have a continuing programme to support our armed forces' Combat Identification capability through investment in equipment, training and continuous review of tactics, techniques and procedures. Prior to war-fighting operations in Iraq we worked to ensure, as we do before any military operation, that robust Combat Identification arrangements were in place and that the best Combat Identification equipment available for this operation was provided.
	We worked very closely with the United States in the planning phase on a coalition concept of operations for Combat Identification. This related principally to specific marking systems for ground forces. We acquired a range of new equipment to ensure that UK land forces capabilities either complied with or exceeded the mandated standard. We also acquired sufficient sets of the US's recently developed satellite-based Blue Force Tracking tool to help our units operate with US forces. GPS navigation aids and the short-range Personal Role Radio, a part of the Bowman programme brought into service early, were widely available.
	UK and US forces also set up liaison arrangements to maintain dialogue on tactics, techniques and procedures for the operation and took steps to familiarise themselves with each other's forces.

Iraq

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants are in Iraq searching for weapons of mass destruction; and when they were sent.

Adam Ingram: On 1 September 2003 there were 19 civil servants in Iraq working for the Iraq Survey Group employed in its task of searching for Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. They arrived in theatre from 13 June 2003. This number will continue to change as new staff join and others complete their periods of duty.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of British forces in Iraq are engaged in making safe unexploded ordnance; how many devices have been disarmed; and what other agencies are assisting in this work.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 19 May 2003
	The United Kingdom currently has 10 Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams in Iraq consisting of 99 personnel.
	As at 4 September some 116,000 individual items of unexploded ordnance had been cleared. We estimate that over 220,000 rounds of small arms ammunition have also been cleared. The vast majority of unexploded ordnance is of Iraqi origin.
	A number of Non-Governmental Organisations have been conducting EOD clearance under the supervision of the United Nations Mine Action Coordination Team, including Minetech and Intersos.

Iraq

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British resources have been devoted to investigating deaths by friendly fire during the Iraq conflict, broken down by number of people investigating and their Service.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 3 June 2003
	All incidents where friendly fire is suspected are investigated fully. In the case of incidents arising from Operation Telic, most are being investigated by personnel from the Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch. Eight personnel are currently employed on these tasks. Where appropriate, the incidents will also be the subject of individual Service Boards of Inquiry.

Iraq

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to protect recently discovered mass graves in Iraq.

Ivor Caplin: The United Kingdom Government continue to believe that those who have been responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq should be brought to justice. Where it is suspected that a mass grave site has been found, details of the site are passed to Coalition Joint Task Force 7 (CJTF7) Crime Investigation Division. Where possible, UK Forces will provide protection to such sites, but this requirement has to be balanced against other demands for their services.

Maintenance Costs

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often audits are made of maintenance programmes (a) involving Ministry of Defence agencies and (b) with outside contractors.

Adam Ingram: Internal audits within the Ministry of Defence are conducted primarily by Defence Internal Audit (DIA) but there are also audit-style reviews by functional and business unit compliance teams as well as specific quality inspections against formal standards. The periodicity of internal audit review is now governed by an assessment of the risks inherent within any particular system or process and agreed by the Defence Audit Committee. As such, there are no longer routine or cyclical audits per se. It is not therefore possible to state how often audits of maintenance programmes may occur. Judgments regarding risk are made by senior managers responsible for the delivery of defence objectives rather than by auditors.
	There remains, however, flexibility within the internal audit process to undertake ad hoc reviews as well as consultancy and business development assignments and in recent years DIA has undertaken individual audits examining repair processes, prime contracting and estates maintenance at the request of management.

Military Police Training School

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the Royal Military Police Training School has played in supporting civilian services in emergencies in West Sussex in the last six years; and if he will list the occasions when they did so.

Ivor Caplin: There have been two occasions in the past six years when the Royal Military Police Training School has provided assistance in emergency situations. These were in November 2001 when there was flooding in the area and the School provided accommodation, catering equipment and personnel to assist in relief operations and damage prevention. From October 2002 to June 2003, during the recent firefighters dispute, the school provided accommodation, catering and equipment to military fire-fighters and civil police escorts.

Shoeburyness

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about noise caused by explosions at Shoeburyness were received in each of the last 20 years from residents living in (a) Maldon District, (b) Chelmsford Borough, (c) Rochford District, (d) Colchester Borough, (e) Tendriny District, (f) Southend-on-Sea Unitary Authority, (g) Castlepoint District and (h) Kent.

Ivor Caplin: Complaints were not recorded before 1990. Between 1990 and 1994, complaints were divided into three broad geographical areas the first covering the immediate locality, the second North Essex and the third Kent. Since 1995, complaints have been recorded for the areas listed. The numbers of complaints from 1990 about noise from the range arising from demolitions, explosions and gunfire are as follows:
	
		
			 Ref A B C D E F G (c,f,g) (a,b,d,e) H  
			 District Maldon Chelmsford Rochford Colchester Tendring Southend Castlepoint Local North Essex Kent Totals 
		
		
			 199021 27 25 73 
			 199121 23 3 47 
			 199258 88 77 223 
			 1993124 194 102 420 
			 199432 555 325 912 
			 1995 56 5 60 12 107 33 2   360 635 
			 1996 91 2 48 44 206 109 1   155 656 
			 1997 23 0 45 5 79 30 6   91 279 
			 1998 49 0 31 20 129 65 5   335 634 
			 1999 58 1 86 23 222 52 10   543 995 
			 2000 48 0 48 38 322 48 1   333 838 
			 2001 51 0 74 22 239 35 3   477 901 
			 2002 50 0 16 14 154 25 0   217 476 
			 2003 to date 9 2 2 12 104 0 0   30 159

Oshkosh Transporters

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many kilometres on average an armoured brigade moves in 24 hours; and what the equivalent figures will be after the introduction of the Oshkosh transporters;
	(2)  what change in capability there will be arising from the change from 120 Heavy Equipment Transporters for Square Brigade to 92 Oshkosh Tank Transporters.

Adam Ingram: It is not possible to provide a meaningful assessment of the distance an armoured brigade can travel in 24 hours because the rate of progress is governed by a wide range of variable factors, such as the type of terrain, climatic conditions, and the nature of any hostilities.
	The introduction of the new Oshkosh transporters will, however, introduce a significant increase in capability. Even though there will be 28 fewer transporters than we currently hold, the old vehicles have become increasingly difficult to maintain and the availability levels are therefore low. The new Oshkosh Tank Transporter fleet will be operated under a public private partnership initiative and payment is based on performance. Availability levels will be guaranteed, using vehicles leased from civilian hauliers if necessary.
	Additionally, the Oshkosh has a number of features that vastly improve its capability. These include a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) giving the fleet an increased off road capability. It also has a dual winch system and can double load Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles unlike the Scammell Commander which was restricted to carrying only single Warriors. This double loading capability frees up considerable trailer space for the movement of Challenger 2 Tanks vital in the deployment of an Armoured Brigade.

P2000 Coastal Training Craft

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his plans are for the deployment and utilisation of P2000 coastal training craft; and whether further vessels will be used for patrolling duties.

Adam Ingram: In United Kingdom waters, P2000 craft are used to train members of the University Royal Naval Units in various sea going disciplines including ship handling, navigation and replenishment at sea. P2000 are also used for patrol duties and security duties off Gibraltar and Cyprus.

RAF Chilmark

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of clearing ordnance and contaminated land from the site of RAF Chilmark; and whether the land will be disposed of without liabilities on the purchaser.

Ivor Caplin: Since closure in April 1995, the cost of clearing ordnance from RAF Chilmark, including the preparation of Land Quality Assessments and remediation, has been approximately £1.8 million.
	Parts of the site have already been sold. It is Ministry of Defence policy to 'sell with knowledge'. Following completion of explosive ordnance clearance, the Land Quality Assessment and details of any remediation work will be made available to prospective purchasers, and will be taken fully into account in agreeing the terms of sale including price. Remediation of contamination prior to transfer will generally be confined to the removal of ordnance and other defence specific contaminants, such as chemical agents or radioactive and micro-biological material that a civilian contractor might not have the relevant experience to deal with.

RAF Police

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether an RAF Policeman has the same level of training at the completion of Phase 2 as an Army Military Policeman to deal with (a) theft, (b) assault, (c) criminal damage and (d) other investigation work.

Adam Ingram: Phase 2 training for the RAF Police and the Army's Royal Military Police (RMP) covers criminal damage, assault and theft. As the RMP course places greater emphasis on practical training and includes Investigative Interview Techniques, it lasts approximately 13 weeks longer than the RAF Police course. From 11 September 2003, Phase 2 training for the RAF Police will be extended to cover all aspects of practical training and the course period will then exceed that of the existing RMP course.

Rifles

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was to his Department to make the modifications to the SA80 rifle to bring it to SA80A2 standard; and how many SA80A2 rifles are in service with HM forces.

Adam Ingram: The SA80 modification programme began in December 2001 and is expected to be completed by March 2006. A total of 190,000 weapons will be modified at a cost of £92 million including trials and training. As at 1 August 2003 some 79,000 SA80 A2 had been issued to units.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected cost and commissioning date of auxiliary oilers (a) Wave Knight and (b) Wave Ruler were when the contract was let; what the date of commissioning and the final cost are; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: At the time the contact was let, in March 1997, the projected construction cost for Wave Knight and Wave Ruler was some £200 million. The contract cost for both vessels has still to be finalised but is expected to be between £210–£215 million. The increase reflects an addition to the contract for the procurement of spares and minor configuration changes to the ships' design over the period of the contract.
	The planned In Service Dates for Wave Knight and Wave Ruler when the contract was let were February 2001 and March 2002, respectively. Wave Knight was accepted into service in March 2003 and Wave Ruler in April 2003. The programme slippage arose as a result of shipyard loading and technical difficulties.

Royal Navy

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cadets from university Royal Naval units have joined the Royal Navy in each year since 1997.

Ivor Caplin: University Royal Naval Units (URNUs) produce a steady flow of recruits to the Royal Navy, but the numbers are not held as a unique statistic and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. URNUs are not primarily intended to be used as a recruiting tool but to develop in undergraduates an awareness of the need for, and role of, the Royal Navy, with the aim of fostering an understanding of the Service within society at large.

Service Personnel

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what proposals he has to make all methods of contact with families free for all armed services personnel;
	(2)  by what methods servicemen are able to contact their families when on overseas operations; and what proposals he has to improve links when on longer term operations.

Ivor Caplin: The ability of deployed personnel to maintain contact with their families is a key part of the Operational Welfare Package (OWP) which was introduced in 2001 to replace the ad hoc welfare provision which had previously varied between operations, The OWP followed a comprehensive review of operational welfare, completed in December 1999, which took into account the views of hundreds of Service personnel across a wide range of operational theatres, as well as drawing on lessons from our allies. The OWP communications package includes free use of Forces Aerogrammes ('Blueys') and electronic-Blueys, 20 minutes of publicly funded telephone calls per week and access to internet and email facilities. The Ministry of Defence recognises the need to continually keep under review its Welfare Support Policy. In light of the experience's gained on various operational deployments during the last two years the Department is currently in the process of reviewing and evaluating the policy. It is too early to say what the outcome will be of this review.

Service Personnel

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many (a) Service personnel of officer rank, (b) Service personnel of other ranks, (c) industrial civilian personnel and (d) non-industrial civilian personnel were employed by the (i) RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency and (ii) Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation in each year from inception to reorganisation as part of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency; how many were employed in Scotland in each case; what the total manning costs were for each category in each year, what the manning costs were for Scotland in each year, and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many (a) Service personnel of officer rank, (b) Service personnel of other ranks, (c) industrial civilian personnel and (d) non-industrial civilian personnel were employed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in each year from its inception to its disestablishment on 1 July 2001; how many of these were employed in Scotland; what the total manning costs were for each category in each year; what the manning costs were for Scotland in each year; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many (a) Service personnel of officer rank, (b) Service personnel of other ranks, (c) industrial civilian personnel and (d) non-industrial civilian personnel were employed by the (i) Defence Aviation Repair Agency, (ii) Meteorological Office, (iii) Hydrographic Office, (iv) Defence Services Organisation, (v) British Forces Post Office Agency, (vi) Defence Medical Education and Training Agency, (vii) Defence Medical Services Department, (viii) Defence Estates, (ix) Army Base Repair Organisation, (x) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, (xi) Defence Procurement Agency, (xii) Warship Support Agency, (xiii) Disposal Services Agency, (xiv) Director General Commercial and (xv) Ministry of Defence Police in each year since inception; how many were employed in Scotland in each case; what the total manning costs were for each category in each year; what the manning costs were for Scotland in each year; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many (a) Service personnel of officer rank, (b) Service personnel of other ranks, (c) industrial civilian personnel and (d) non-industrial civilian personnel were employed by the Defence Secondary Care Agency in each year from its inception to its dissolution on 31 March; how many of these were employed in Scotland; what the total manning costs were for each category in each year; what the manning costs were for Scotland in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Figures for Service and civilian personnel relating to each organisation have been placed in the Library of the House. Information on numbers of Service personnel working in Scotland, overall manning costs, and details prior to 1993, are not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Sir John Moore Barracks (Winchester)

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make an announcement regarding the site at Sir John Moore Barracks in Winchester, and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Sir John Moore Barracks at Winchester is currently the home of the Army Training Regiment, Winchester, part of the Initial Training Group, an Operating Division of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA). As part of its strategy to achieve a more flexible approach to Initial Training, ATRA is examining alternative entry routes into the Army, with relevant training to meet the Army's future needs. A number of options are under consideration at the present time, but no decision on the way forward is likely before about April of next year. Whatever the outcome, no changes to the role of Sir John Moore Barracks are envisaged for the foreseeable future.

Strategic Defence Review

Ernie Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to improve the ability of Britain's armed forces to be more rapidly deployable as set out in the strategic defence review.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor), 8 September 2003, Official Report, column 12.

Suez Canal (Medals)

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects UK veterans of the Suez Canal Zone military operations in the 1950s to receive their campaign medals.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence will start issuing medals to eligible veterans as soon as The Queen has seen and agreed the detailed qualifying criteria for the medal. The criteria are currently under consideration by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals.

Target Practice

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which ships his Department has used for target practice during the past five years.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has a continuous requirement to trial and evaluate, under live conditions, the operational effectiveness of its weapon systems—in particular to prove their effectiveness against predicted results from modelling. As part of this requirement, the RN periodically conducts High Seas Firings (HSF) against targets, and uses the results to aid the continued tactical development of its weapons systems whilst also supporting research on survivability of current and future United Kingdom warship design and protection of personnel.
	During the past five years, the Department has arranged one HSF using ex-HMS Sirius as the target vessel. This was conducted between 28–29 September 1998. The RN also participated in two HSF exercises arranged by and at the invitation of the US Navy using ex USS Ashtabula and ex USS Wainwright on 14 October 2000 and 11 June 2002 respectively.

Trained Personnel

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 11th July, Official Report, column 1033W, on trained personnel, what research his Department has carried out into the numbers of Royal Naval personnel who have gone absent without leave since 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: No research has been carried out since 1995 into the numbers of Royal Naval personnel who have gone absent without leave , although the reasons for absence are routinely collected and reviewed. The increase in the number of Naval Service absences since 2000 shown in my answer, Official Report, column 1033W of 11 July 2003 was due to a change in the arrangements for reporting absence. Until then, no warrant for arrest was issued until the eighth day of an absence, and absentees who returned before then were not formally recorded. Since 2000 a warrant has been raised and absence has been formally recorded as soon as the absence has been established. This has had the effect of increasing the number of absences formally recorded, but is not indicative of an underlying increase in unauthorised absences.

US Military Sites

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which military sites in the UK are leased to the US Government; when each military base was first leased; what the date for termination is in each case; and what parliamentary approval was sought for the present lease arrangements;
	(2)  what plans there are to lease further British military bases, or parts thereof, to the United States Government.

Adam Ingram: As I stated in my answer to my hon. Friend on 10 July 2003, Official Report, column 940W, there are no such lease arrangements. Neither have we plans to enter into any such arrangements.

US Military Sites

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the arrangements are for the storage and possible deployment of nuclear weapons from military bases leased to the United States Government.

Adam Ingram: The use of facilities on United Kingdom territory by the United States is a matter for joint decision by the two Governments in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time. No UK military bases are leased to the United States.

US Military Sites

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether an individual accused of trespass onto a military base in the UK leased to the United States Government will be tried by (a) US and (b) British justice;
	(2)  what control the UK Government can exert on activities taking place on military bases in the UK leased to the United States Government.

Adam Ingram: No United Kingdom military bases are leased to the United States Government. Military bases are made available to the US visiting forces under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951, and other additional confidential agreements. An individual accused of trespass on to one of these bases would be subject to British justice, with any decision on prosecution being taken by UK authorities.
	Activities taking place on such bases is a matter for joint decision between the UK and US Governments in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.

War Pensions (East Devon)

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are in receipt of war and war widows' pensions in East Devon.

Ivor Caplin: As at 31 March 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 1,220 war disablement pensions and 235 war widows pensions in payment to people in East Devon.

Warship Deployments

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy warships are at sea without their full complement.

Adam Ingram: As at 27 August, the Destroyer HMS Manchester, Frigates, HMSs Cornwall, Kent, Lancaster, Norfolk, Portland, Sutherland, Mine Counter Measure ships HMSs Quorn, Atherstone, Penzance and Cottesmore, the Survey Ship HMS Scott and the Patrol Vessel HMS Leeds Castle are at sea without full complements. Ships' complements are, however, carefully matched to the demands of operational tasking. Manning across the Fleet is constantly monitored to ensure that the sufficient levels of manpower are maintained for both current and contingent operations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Pensioners

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to enable pensioners to participate more fully in community activities

Fiona Mactaggart: The Government has a target of increasing community participation by five per cent by 2006. We believe that increasing the engagement of older people in their communities is particularly important.
	The Home Office Active Community Unit leads the cross Government effort to achieve the target. It provides strategic funding for organisations such as Reach, RSVP and the Experience Corps to increase the levels of volunteering by older people. Funding is also given to several mentoring projects that involve older people either as the mentors or mentess.
	The ACU also works with other Government Departments to achieve the target, such as the recent collaboration with the Department of Work and Pensions on the production of a pre-retirement pack.
	The strategy for increasing community participation is currently being reviewed. Any new strategy will maintain a focus on older volunteers, both at national and local level.

Asylum

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications have been made in Northern Ireland since 1 January.

Beverley Hughes: No statistics are kept on the numbers of asylum applicants in Northern Ireland, or any other geographic region in the UK, except by port of application. The requested information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

Asylum

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to ensure that the Law Society complies in full with requests by the Immigration Services Commissioner for disclosure of information in respect of complaints against solicitors in asylum and immigration cases.

Beverley Hughes: We are considering the comments made about The Law Society in the Immigration Services Commissioner's Annual Report for 2002–03 and will discuss them with my right hon. Friend The Lord Chancellor before deciding what action to take.

Correspondence

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Glasgow Shettleston to the MPCS section of Immigration and Nationality Directorate Croydon of 23 February, 7 April, 12 May and 12 June regarding Mr.Abdullah Turgut.

Beverley Hughes: I understand that the Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to your letters of 23 February, 7 April, 12 May and 12 June on 17 July.

Crime (Rural Areas)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of crime in rural areas in the 12 months up to (a) 31 March 1999, (b) 31 March 2001 and (c) 31 March 2003.

Hazel Blears: According to the British Crime Survey (BCS) 2000, the BCS 2001, Crime in England and Wales 2001–02 and Crime in England and Wales 2002–03, levels of crime were substantially lower in rural areas than in non-rural areas in 1999, 2000 and the 12 months to March 2002 and March 2003. Data are not available for the 12 months to March 2001 due to the methodological changes in the BCS from calendar to financial year. The available information on crime levels for this period is as follows:
	
		Incidence of crime per 10,000 households
		
			  BCS 2000 Crime in 12 months to December 1999 BCS 2001 Crime in 12 months to December 2000 BCS 2001–02 Interviews in 12 months to March 2002 BCS 2002–03 Interviews in 12 months to March 2003 
			  Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural 
		
		
			 Burglary 340 665 234 560 236 499 272 **488 
			 Violent crime 506 937 543 645 398 748 *497 **715 
			 Vehicle related theft(5) 1,258 1,990 938 1,787 1,015 1,686 **932 **1,563 
		
	
	(5) Based on vehicle owners only.
	Notes:
	1. Data for BCS 2000, 2001–02 and 2002–03 uses the new calibration weights, data for BCS 2001 does not.
	2. The statistical significance of changes between BCS 2000 and BCS 2002–03 and also between BCS 2001–02 and BCS 2002–03 has been calculated.
	* Indicates a statistically significant change between BCS 2001–02 and BCS 2002–03 (there has been a statistically significant rise between BCS 2001–02 and BCS 2002–03 in rural violent crime and a statistically significant fall in non-rural vehicle related theft).
	** Indicates a statistically significant change between BCS 2000 and BCS 2002–03 (there have been statistically significant falls between BCS 2000 and BCS 2002–03 in rural vehicle related theft and in non-rural burglary, violent crime and vehicle related theft).
	The likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is also substantially lower in rural areas than non-rural areas during these periods. In 2002–03, 18 per cent. of victims of burglary lived in rural areas, similarly only 16 per cent. of victims of violence and 20 per cent. of victims of vehicle related theft (based on vehicle owners only) lived in rural areas. The available data is set out as follows.
	
		Prevalence of Crime (percentage of victim once or more)
		
			  BCS 2000 Crime in 1999 BCS 2001 Crime in 2000 BCS 2001–02 Interviews in 12 months to March 2002 BCS 2002–03 Interviews in 12 months to March 2003 
			  Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural 
		
		
			 Burglary 2.6 4.8 1.9 3.9 2.0 3.9 2.5 3.7 
			 Violent crime 2.6 4.7 2.4 4.1 2.4 4.5 2.9 4.4 
			 Vehicle related theft(6) 9.0 14.0 6.9 12.5 7.9 12.6 7.7 11.8 
		
	
	(6) Based on vehicle owners only.
	Note:
	1. Data for BCS 2001–02 and 2002–03 uses the new calibration weights, data for BCS 2000 and 2001 do not.

Departmental Entertainment Budget

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's hospitality budget (a) is in 2002–03 and (b) was in each of the last three years; and how much was left unspent at the end of each financial year.

Fiona Mactaggart: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 14 April 2003, Official Report, column 533W.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of regional variations in staff turnover in his Department.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office has not made a comprehensive study of regional variations in staff turnover.
	However, employee turnover is an important factor in considering payment of locational allowances for recruitment and retention purposes. Her Majesty's Treasury 2003 Pay Remit guidance specifically requires that local pay be considered, and analysis of employee turnover forms part of the Home Office's approach to this task.

Departmental Website

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what actions he has taken or is taking to ensure that the websites of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are accessible to partially sighted and blind people; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office requires that all websites under its management be designed to meet government and international guidelines on accessibility. All new websites will be accessibility tested before publication, taking account of the guidelines recently issued by the e-Envoy as part of the Quality Framework for UK Government Website Design.
	Although some existing sites may not meet all of the criteria required, a review is being planned within a project to redevelop the Home Office website with the intention that these rigorous standards should be applied retrospectively.

Depleted Uranium Thefts

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the security implications of the theft of 30lb of depleted uranium from a site in Thurrock in July.

David Blunkett: holding answer 17 July 2003
	I understand from Essex Police that the incident is being treated as a crime of theft of a vehicle. The van contained a box made of depleted uranium which was part of the normal emergency equipment carried in case there should be a problem with a radiation source in an instrument used for site radiography. The box was empty at the time of the theft and did not itself pose a significant risk from radioactivity.
	There is no indication the theft was in any way connected to terrorism.

Depleted Uranium Thefts

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions depleted uranium has been stolen from (a) the plant in Thurrock and (b) from other sites elsewhere in the United Kingdom over the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: In the past five years, the Health and Safety Executive have received only one report of depleted uranium being stolen or missing from the site in Thurrock. That was following the theft of a van on 7 July 2003. The van contained a box made of depleted uranium which was part of the normal emergency equipment carried in case there should be a problem with a radiation source in an instrument used for site radiography. The box was empty at the time of the theft and did not itself pose a significant risk from radioactivity.
	Thurrock have made no other reports of depleted uranium being stolen or lost. Records for the UK are not held centrally.

Domestic Violence

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 31 March 2003, Official Report, column 577W, on domestic violence, how much of the funding that will be made available over the next three years to support work to develop mainstream responses to domestic violence will be provided to Surrey; and when the funds will be available.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office is conducting a mapping exercise involving Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) and Government offices, to inform the allocation of this funding; which will then be available to CDRPs and Government offices from the second half of this year.

IT Contracts

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by his Department in each year since 1997; how much each of these contracts is worth; with whom they are signed; how many have been renegotiated; how many are still in place; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Since 1997 the Home Office, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) have outsourced the following IT services, which are listed:
	Home Office (central)
	1. 2000—HO central—Provision of IT infrastructure services for the core Home Office: signed with Sirius consortium (Fujitsu (formally ICL) supported by IBM (formally PWC) and Global Crossing). Contract value £209 million. Not renegotiated. Contract still in place.
	2. 2001—NPD—Provision infrastructure services: signed with Steria Group. Contract value £50 million. Not renegotiated. Contract still in place.
	Agencies
	1. 1998—UKPA—Provision of front end passport scanning: signed with Siemens Business Services. Contract value £80–100 million. Not renegotiated. Contract still in place.
	2. 1998—UKPA—Passport printing service: signed with Security Printing and Systems Ltd. Contract value £134.2 million. Not renegotiated. Contract still in place.
	3. 1999—UKPA—Provision of IT infrastructure services: signed with SEMA. Contract value £3.8 million. Not renegotiated. Contract still in place.
	4. 2000—Prison Service—Provision of IT infrastructure services: EDS supported by PA and Global Crossing (Quantum). Contract value £200 million. Renegotiated in 2002. Contract still in place.
	5. 2000—Crime Reduction Bureau—Provision of IT infrastructure services (10 years): signed with Capita group. Contract value £400 million. Not renegotiated. Contract still in place.
	6. 2000—Criminal Cases Review Commission—Provision of IT managed service: signed with Integris/Steria. Contract value £1,370,956. 2000–04. Renegotiated 2002. Contract still in place.
	NDPB
	1. 2000—National Intelligence Service (seven years)—Provision of IS support services: signed with Capita group. Contract value £2.5 million per year. The contract is due to be renegotiated in September 2003. Contract still in place.

Khat

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the level of consumption of Khat in the UK; what plans he has to (a) control and (b) reduce Khat consumption; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are no centrally collected figures for the level of cat (or Khat) consumption, but Her Majesty's Customs and Excise estimates that between seven and 10 tonnes of the plant are imported into the United Kingdom each week.
	The Government has no plans at present to control Khat under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which advises on these matters, keeps its legal status under review. The Home Office's Drugs and Alcohol Research Unit is shortly to embark on a detailed study to assess the level of harm caused by Khat. It is expected that a final report will be completed in September 2004, with interim findings being available in April 2004. The report will inform future decisions on whether Khat should be controlled within the 1971 Act.
	The Government is considering ways to address the problems of Khat misuse as part of a wider diversity initiative to ensure that the national drug strategy meets the needs of all our communities. This will include the development of appropriate drug prevention materials and information to raise awareness about the Khat misuse.

Leighton Buzzard Police Station

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants are available from his Department to improve Leighton Buzzard police station, with particular reference to enabling (a) the restoration of a custody suite, (b) longer opening hours and (c) the provision of space for a greater officer establishment.

Hazel Blears: Police authorities receive general capital grant and credit (borrowing) approvals to support funding their capital plans.
	In 2002–03 my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary established the Premises Improvement Fund to assist police authorities further in modernising the police estate and communications technology. The fund of £20 million is a matched funding initiative.
	Police authorities have been invited to submit bids for a second round of the scheme. Results will be announced later in the year.

Passports

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it takes for a passport to be renewed; and if he will make a statement on charges levied to British citizens for their applications.

Hazel Blears: In the week ending 20 July 2003 the average processing time for a single straightforward properly completed application made by post was four days for a renewal.
	An increase in passport fees was announced on 18 July. The new fees which come into effect on 2 October 2003 are in the table.
	
		
			  Partner/postal (£) Fast track(£) Premium(£) 
		
		
			 Adult 42.00 70.00 89.00 
			 Child 25.00 60.00 71.00 
			 Jumbo(7) 54.50 71.00 95.50 
			 Collectives 39.00 N/a N/a 
		
	
	(7) Forty-eight page
	Passport fees are set to recover the costs of UK Passport Service's issuing passports and those incurred by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on providing consular protection to British nationals in need of assistance overseas. The new fees will allow investment in enhanced anti-fraud measures and the Passport Service's customer improvement programme.

Police Staff

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) civilian support staff there were in each English constabulary in the last year for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The latest available police officer strength figure is for 31 December 2002, that for police staff is for 31 March 2002.
	The figures are set out in the table.
	
		Police and civilian support staff strength
		
			 Force Police officer strength as at31 December 2002 Police staff strength as at31 March 2002 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 3,172 1,611 
			 Bedfordshire 1,097 524 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,388 733 
			 Cheshire 2,084 884 
			 Cleveland 1,561 626 
			 Cumbria 1,121 631 
			 Derbyshire 2,010 953 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,176 1,639 
			 Dorset 1,403 741 
			 Durham 1,645 660 
			 Essex 2,995 1,571 
			 Gloucestershire 1,187 545 
			 Greater Manchester 7,347 3,135 
			 Hampshire 3,636 1,597 
			 Hertfordshire 1,920 1,121 
			 Humberside 2,113 816 
			 Kent 3,441 1,958 
			 Lancashire 3,368 1,442 
			 Leicestershire 2,099 816 
			 Lincolnshire 1,224 600 
			 London, City of 797 247 
			 Merseyside 4,180 1,532 
			 Metropolitan Police 27,229 10,459 
			 Norfolk 1,503 819 
			 Northamptonshire 1,192 742 
			 Northumbria 3,976 1,403 
			 North Yorkshire 1,379 743 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,407 1,087 
			 South Yorkshire 3,183 1,352 
			 Staffordshire 2,228 1,030 
			 Suffolk 1,236 692 
			 Surrey 1,983 1,043 
			 Sussex 2,937 1,507 
			 Thames Valley 3,852 2,061 
			 Warwickshire 993 459 
			 West Mercia 2,160 1,116 
			 West Midlands 7,792 3,007 
			 West Yorkshire 5,029 2,364 
			 Wiltshire 1,121 649 
			 Total (England) 123,163 54,913

Departmental Policy Areas

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the policy areas covered by each of the activities listed in Table 5, page 173 of the Home Office Annual Departmental Report 2003.

David Blunkett: The policy areas covered are as follows:
	
		
			 Activity area Policy areas covered 
		
		
			 Reduction in crime and the fear of crime Policing, police standards and reform, reduction of crime (including Crime and Disorder Partnerships) and the fear of crime, street crime and community safety; youth crime prevention; anti-social behaviour; football disorder; criminal records; road safety enforcement, firearms 
			 Reduction of organised and international crime Counter-terrorism, international and European law enforcement and judicial cooperation, extradition; policing of organised and financial crime, high tech crime 
			 Ensuring the effective delivery of justice Overall responsibility for reform and modernisation of the criminal justice system (CJS), including CJS IT, building confidence in the CJS, narrowing the justice gap for victims and witnesses. Criminal law and criminal policy, legislation including Criminal Justice Bill and Sexual Offences Bill, policy on criminal procedure and evidence, CJS race issues 
			 Delivering effective custodial and community sentences to reduce re-offending and protect the public Effective enforcement of the sentences of the courts; public protection, rehabilitation and reducing re-offending; managing performance of the prison, probation and youth justice services 
			 Reducing the availability and abuse of dangerous drugs Overall responsibility for the anti-drugs strategy; enforcement and criminal justice interventions 
			 Regulating entry to and settlement in the UK effectively, in the interests of sustainable growth and social inclusion Nationality, immigration and asylum, including work permits; citizenship and inward migration; UK Passport Service 
			 Supporting strong and active communities in which people of all races and backgrounds are valued and participate Race equality and community cohesion; civil renewal, active citizenship and the voluntary and community sector. Regulation and licensing of animal scientific procedures; coroners; entitlement cards. Home Office input to policy on young people and families 
			 Central services Research and statistics; human resources; finance (including departmental unallocated provision); corporate development and support

Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied asylum seekers under 18 received a custodial sentence broken down by (a) age, (b) sex and (c) establishment in 2002.

Beverley Hughes: I regret that the information requested is not available from existing data collection systems and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Details of the immigration status of unaccompanied asylum seekers under 18 who have received a custodial sentence are not collated centrally and will not necessarily be recorded by the courts or the Prison Service.
	Information on asylum applications is published quarterly on the Home Office website at: http:/www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next publication will be available from the end of August and will cover the second quarter of 2003.

Youth Justice Board

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the membership of the Youth Justice Board.

Paul Goggins: In February 2003 my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary appointed two new members, Christopher Holmes CBE and Jackie Ballard. In June my right hon. Friend re-appointed three members and asked Sir Charles Pollard to serve as acting chair when Lord Warner left the board and has launched an open public competition to recruit a substantive chair.
	Four other existing board members' terms of appointment expire in September 2004. My right hon. Friend will be considering future membership once we have appointed a chair.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Liberia

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the political situation in Liberia;
	(2)  what assessment the Department has made of the effects of the political situation in Liberia on neighbouring countries;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with (a) the United Nations, (b) the United States, (c) the African Union and (d) the Liberian Government on (i) the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Liberia and (ii) measures to end the civil war there.

Chris Mullin: Liberia has been at the heart of conflict in west Africa for over 20 years. The departure of Charles Taylor, and the subsequent peace deal, presents an important opportunity to work towards lasting peace in the region. The UK is committed to working closely with the international community, to ensure that the present Multi-National Force, and the UN Mission planned for Liberia, are successful in restoring peace and security to Liberia.
	We have committed £l million to the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Multi-National Force that deployed on 4 August and have seconded a military adviser to ECOWAS. We have also offered military advisors to the UN planning mission and Head Quarters. The UK is also working in the UN Security Council to ensure that the forthcoming Resolution authorising the deployment of a UN mission will provide a robust mandate.
	We are monitoring developments in the region closely to ensure that ex-combatants do not export instability to neighbouring countries.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the timetable the British Government has set for ratifying the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

Bill Rammell: The United Kingdom signed this Optional Protocol in September 2000 and intends to ratify it at the earliest opportunity. To be able to ratify, we need to introduce a range of new offences to ensure that we are fully compliant with the instrument. Several of these, relating to trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and the sexual exploitation of children for gain, are included in the Sexual Offences Bill currently before Parliament.
	The Optional Protocol also requires the criminalisation of behaviour which does not fall within the scope of the Sexual Offences Bill, such as trafficking people with the aim of: exploiting their labour; organ transfer and illegal adoptions. These measures are being pursued separately and will also require primary legislation. It is not therefore possible to say precisely when we will be able to ratify the instrument.

Afghanistan

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the timetable is for elimination of poppy production in Afghanistan; and what strategies are in place to fill any loss to local economies caused by the eradication of opium production.

Bill Rammell: The Afghan Transitional Administration adopted a national drug strategy on 19 May 2003. Its objective is to eliminate the cultivation, processing and trafficking of illegal drugs in Afghanistan within 10 years. The UK has committed £70 million over the next three years to fund activities that will contribute to achievement of this objective.
	However, sustainable reductions in the Afghan drugs trade will be achieved only as progress is made on broader development and security. The UK is leading a Provincial Reconstruction team in Mazar-e-Sharif and has pledged £200 million of development assistance to help create the conditions in which viable alternatives to poppy cultivation can emerge.

African Union

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with African leaders about the appointment of President Robert Mugabe by the African Union as its ambassador for southern Africa.

Chris Mullin: Robert Mugabe was not appointed by the African Union (AU) as an Ambassador for southern Africa at the recent AU Summit. Zimbabwe was appointed as one of the 14 regional vice-chairs, who together with the current AU Chairperson, President Chissano of Mozambique, form the Bureau of the AU Assembly when it meets in session.
	The election of office-bearers, and the items included on the AU Summit agenda, are matters for the African Union.

African Union

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had and intends to have with (a) the United Nations, (b) the United States, (c) the African Union and (d) President Mbeki of South Africa regarding Mr. Robert Mugabe's appointment as the African Union's ambassador for southern Africa;
	(2)  what discussions he has had and intends to have with (a) the United Nations, (b) the United States, (c) the African Union and (d) President Mbeki of South Africa regarding the presence of Zimbabwe on the agenda of the African Union summit.

Chris Mullin: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Martin Caton) today (UIN 127140).

Angola

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for City of York (Hugh Bayley) of 20 May 2003, Official Report, columns 722–23W, whether the embassy in Luanda has received an answer to his Department's offer of United Kingdom security assistance; what further discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department, (c) members of the embassy in Luanda have had with representatives of the government of Angola on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: The British embassy in Luanda remains in touch with senior members of the Angolan Government and the Angolan military on the offer of UK assistance in Security Sector Reform. The most recent discussions were on 25 July. So far, the Angolan Government has not confirmed whether they wish to accept our offer.

Burundi

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to assist the process of peace in Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: The British Government are committed to supporting the Arusha process and the transitional government institutions. We have given extensive support to South African Vice President Zuma and his facilitation team. We are also supporting the African Mission in Burundi, both financially and politically.

Burundi

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that the African Union mission in Burundi is effective and supported; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: The UK is actively supporting the African Union's African Mission in Burundi (AMIB), both financially and politically. We have provided up to £3.9 million to supply vital equipment to the Mozambican contingent. We maintain regular contact with our international partners, the African Union, the UN and senior AMIB personnel, to ensure that AMIB is able to carry out its function.

Burundi

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the United Nations, (b) the United States, (c) the African Union and (d) the Burundi Government regarding international efforts to encourage rebel groups in Burundi to enter into peace negotiations with the Government of Burundi.

Chris Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met President Ndayizeye on 11 July to discuss the peace process. The UK maintains close contacts with the government of Burundi, the regional facilitation teams, the African Union and the UN, and our other partners in the international community in pursuit of peace in Burundi.

China

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Chinese Government regarding the pending execution of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche.

Bill Rammell: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park Jenny Tonge on 20 March 2003 Official Report column 881W.
	We have noted the recent release of some of those arrested at the same time as Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche and shall continue to raise our concerns with the Chinese about this case.

China

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had and intends to have with the Chinese Government on holding trials of Tibetan religious leaders in the presence of international observers before sentence is passed.

Bill Rammell: We and our EU partners have made clear to the Chinese authorities that all trials should be free and fair and respect due process.
	We continue to urge the Chinese authorities to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

China

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had and intends to have with the Chinese Government regarding its refusal to drop pre-conditions to negotiations with the Tibetan Government in exile.

Bill Rammell: We have made clear to the Chinese authorities our view that a long-term, peaceful solution to the Tibet issue can be found only through dialogue and continue to urge them to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama. We have welcomed the recent visits to China by representatives of the Dalai Lama.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Tibet with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on 25 June, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the issue with the Chinese leadership during his recent visit to China.

Colombia

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for action in the Council of Ministers to encourage the Colombian Government to respect human rights and international humanitarian law; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Council of Ministers took such action in their Conclusions in December 2002. We work closely with our EU Partners on Colombia and human rights. The need to respect human rights and international law was reiterated in the Chairperson's Statement on the Human Rights Situation in Colombia at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in April. The EU played a substantive role in the drafting of the Statement.
	In July EU member states attended the London Meeting on International Support for Colombia. The EU adhered fully to the London Declaration following the meeting, which again made clear the importance of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of the activities of international forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is undertaken by the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: The UK monitors the activities of both MONUC (the UN Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)) and the EU-led Interim Emergency Multinational Force (IEMF) in Bunia (north-eastern DRC), which is now ending its operations. We have received reports from the UN Secretary General and from the Operation Commander of the IEMF (who reports to the EU's Political and Security Committee in Brussels).
	The present peace agreements require the withdrawal from DRC of the forces of other foreign governments. Rwanda and Uganda maintain that they have withdrawn all their troops. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Diamond Trade

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Governments of compliant countries in the Kimberley Process regarding the trade in and export of illegal conflict diamonds in (a) Nigeria, (b) Angola, (c) Kenya, (d) Uganda and (e) Cameroon.

Bill Rammell: Participating Governments met at the Kimberley Process plenary in April to discuss conflict diamonds. The meeting focussed on compliance by all participants with the minimum common standards set by the Kimberley Process certification scheme. Angola is one of 40 participants in the scheme.
	Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Cameroon are not major diamond producers or traders and are not participants in the scheme. There have been no recent discussions within the Kimberley Process about these countries.

Diamond Trade

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Governments of (a) Nigeria, (b) Angola, (c) Kenya, (d) Uganda and (e) Cameroon regarding the trade in and export of illegal conflict diamonds.

Bill Rammell: There have been no recent discussions on diamond trading with these Governments, other than Angola in its capacity as a participant in the Kimberley Process.

Nagorno-Karabakh

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Bill Rammell: Our policy on the Nagorno Karabakh dispute is that we will support any mechanism for its resolution which both parties can accept and which has a realistic chance of delivering a lasting political settlement. The framework for discussing such mechanisms is the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group. The three co-chairs of the Minsk Group, Russia, US and France, have worked very hard to try to move a political process forward.
	The UK will be funding a £2 million three year project aiming to improve the prospects for a permanent settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We shall continue to encourage the governments of both Azerbaijan and Armenia to look to the future and build a better relationship between their two countries.

Sao Tome and Principe

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with his Portuguese counterpart on the military coup in Sao Tome and Principe; what joint action has been decided; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he last held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Sao Tome; what the outcome of those discussions was; when he next plans to meet with him; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with his Nigerian counterpart on the military coup in Sao Tome and Principe; when these discussions took place; what the conclusion of the discussions was; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the EU's role in securing a speedy return to constitutional order of Sao Tome and Principe; what plans have been made to achieve this; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with his counterpart on the military coup in Sao Tome and Principe. Efforts to mediate a resolution to the political crisis in Sao Tome—following the attempted coup of 16 July—have so far been led by the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, the Chairman of the African Union and the Acting President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). We continue to monitor the situation in consultation with EU Partners, in particular the Portuguese. The UK is represented in Sao Tome by our ambassador in Angola, who has had informal discussions with his EU counterparts.

Sierra Leone

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the cost of peace-keeping forces in Sierra Leone up to the present time; what additional aid and investment have resulted from that action; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: The UN peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone. UNAMSIL, was established in 1999. The total cost to the end of the present financial year (31 March 2004) is estimated at £1,894 million, of which the UK's contribution will be £92 million. The secure environment which UNAMSIL has helped to establish has allowed aid programmes to restart and the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of over 50,000 ex-combatants. UNAMSIL has now begun to reduce its numbers and is expected to complete withdrawal from the country in late 2004.
	The UK has provided £70 million in aid to Sierra Leone since the war ended in 2001. We have committed ourselves to a ten-year programme of support and have pledged £120 million towards the social and economic development of Sierra Leone over the next three years. Delivery of these funds is dependent on progress by the Government of Sierra Leone on key areas such as security sector reform, regulation of the diamond industry, corruption, government and media reforms, and the development of a poverty reduction strategy.
	In October 2002 the first British trade mission in over a decade visited Sierra Leone. Another trade mission will visit later this month and a delegation from the construction and consultancy industries is planned for early 2004.

Somalia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what participation in the Somali peace process has been undertaken by UK representatives; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: An official from our High Commission in Nairobi is a member of the international observer group giving informal advice to the reconciliation conference's Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Technical Committee (and its Chair, Ambassador Kiplagat). Britain has also contributed to a number of other initiatives designed to assist the talks, which continue to work towards reconciliation and agreement on an effective and inclusive government for Somalia.

Somalia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with what Somali groups and human rights organisations his officials have had discussions in the past year; and what his Department's assessment is of the human rights situation in Somalia.

Chris Mullin: Officials in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and London have had extensive and regular contacts with large numbers of Somali civil society organisations with an interest in human rights. Without any effective central government in Somalia, and given the number of disparate armed groups, citizens' rights are routinely abused, especially in southern areas in conflict, However, the situation in Somaliland, which has a democratic government and functioning institutions, is better, with no reports of gross human rights violations.

Somalia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what UK diplomatic staff have visited Mogadishu in the past year.

Chris Mullin: None.

Somalia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts UK representatives have with the effective Government of Somaliland in Hargeisa; and what plans the Government has to grant it diplomatic recognition.

Chris Mullin: The British Ambassador in Addis Ababa, his consular and political officers, representatives from our High Commission in Nairobi, and representatives from other Whitehall Departments all visit Hargeisa regularly to meet representatives of the authorities there. There have also been several contacts in Addis Ababa and London. We have no plans to recognise an independent Somaliland.

Somalia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the number of Somali people in refugee camps in countries neighbouring Somalia who wish to join their families in the United Kingdom; and what facilities are offered in British missions in (a) Addis Ababa and (b) Nairobi to facilitate this.

Chris Mullin: There are no reliable data on numbers of Somalis in refugee camps wishing to join relatives with leave to remain in the United Kingdom. Our diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa routinely receives and processes applications from Somalis wishing to settle in Britain. Nairobi suspended its processing operation for Somali settlement visas in November 2002 due to security concerns arising from the Mombasa bombing. Following a recent review, it plans to resume this service on a limited basis in the next few months.

Uganda

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the impact of proposed changes to the constitution of Uganda with regard to presidential term limits on (a) the democratic development of Uganda and (b) the political stability of Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: Changes to the Ugandan Constitution are being considered by a Constitutional Review Commission (CRC). The CRC is now finalising its report. We are taking a close interest in its work, and look forward to the publication of the report. Open and inclusive debate of the CRC's recommendations should help promote stability at a time of political change.

Uganda

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of Sudanese support of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda; what discussions he has had on this matter with (a) the Government of Sudan and (b) the Government of Uganda; what the result of the discussions was; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: We have seen no hard evidence that the Sudanese Government is providing support to the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda. The UK Special Envoy for Sudan discussed the LRA with President Museveni of Uganda and with the Sudanese Prime Minister in late August. The Government of Sudan said that officers in the Sudanese army who had supplied the LRA on a personal basis had been disciplined, and that there was no official Sudanese support for the LRA.
	We welcome the recent appointment of a Ugandan ambassador to Khartoum and the recent visit of senior Ugandan Ministers, and hope that these initiatives will contribute to better understanding and cooperation between the two governments.

Uganda

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Government of Uganda about proposed changes to the constitution of Uganda with particular reference to presidential term limits; when these discussions took place; what the outcome was; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: My noble Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, discussed the current process of constitutional reform with President Museveni on her visit to Uganda in early August.
	An independent Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) in Uganda is currently looking at possible constitutional changes. We are taking a close interest in its important work. It is expected to make recommendations soon. We hope that its proposals will pave the way for a transition to a properly constituted multi-party democracy in Uganda.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Accident Group

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had concerning payment of redundancy payments to employees of the Accident Group; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Birmingham Redundancy Payments Office has received 1,870 claims from former employees of the Accident Group. Most of these workers have received payments or will do so in the next few days.

Russian Northern Fleet

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her role in the recent grant of financial aid to the Russian Northern fleet in respect to nuclear decommissioning; and from which budget this assistance came.

Stephen Timms: The Department manages a £32.5 million per annum programme of financial and technical assistance to Russia and other Former Soviet Union countries to address nuclear legacy issues. It includes a number of projects to help Russia deal with Spent Nuclear Fuel from decommissioned nuclear submarines as well as contributing to their dismantlement as part of the initiative launched by G8 leaders at the Kananaskis summit in 2002. Our initial portfolio of projects was announced during President Putin's state visit to the UK in June 2003. These include the dismantlement of two nuclear submarines, the construction of a new storage facilities for Spent Nuclear Fuel, and a series of projects to assist in the eventual safe removal of Spent Nuclear Fuel from Andreeva Bay—a former Russian Navy storage site for Spent Fuel from navy vessels and ice breakers. During this visit the Foreign Secretary signed a bilateral Agreement with the Russian Foreign Minister, which provides the legal cover for these projects to proceed. During the visit the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin) also signed the Arctic Military Cooperation Agreement (AMEC) that will allow a number of environmental nuclear clean up projects associated with submarine dismantlement to proceed. The AMEC assistance projects will be managed and provided with financial support under the DTI managed FSU Programme. In undertaking all these projects , the Department is working closely with both the MOD and FCO together with our Moscow embassy. We plan to publish by the end of the year a detailed report setting out the achievements in establishing this programme over the past two years. Further information on the programme and projects in Russia is available from the DTI website—www.dti.gov.uk/energy/nuclear/fsu/index.shtml

Arms Exports

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the export licences on the Military and Dual Lists granted to companies in the UK or to a (a) UK registered company and (b) overseas national which have been (i) varied and (ii) revoked in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: The details of export licences that have been revoked are published in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, copies of which are the available from the Libraries of the House. The Annual Report also contains details of Open Individual Export Licences that have been varied so as to exclude a particular destination.
	Variations to licences may be made for a number of reasons and it would entail disproportionate cost to list all export licences that have been varied since 2 May 1997.
	The Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation does not record the nationality of applicants for an export licence.

Arms Exports

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the licences granted for the export of military equipment to Indonesia since 2002.

Nigel Griffiths: Between 1 January 2003 and 11 July 2003, the Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation issued 54 Standard Individual Export Licences and two Open Individual Export Licences, authorising the export of items on the Military List, where the end users were in Indonesia, with the following ratings:
	ML1
	ML4
	ML5
	ML6
	ML10
	ML11
	ML13
	ML22
	PL5017.

Arms Exports

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what vehicle models are specified in the open licence for the export to Indonesia of armoured all wheel drive vehicles; what the terms are of the licence; and for what reason an open licence was granted.

Nigel Griffiths: The Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation issued an Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) on 4 March 2002, authorising the export of no more than 3 CAMAC CAV 100 armoured all wheel drive vehicles to provide protection for BBC correspondents in Indonesia.
	The standard conditions set out in every OIEL include, for example, the right of the Department of Trade and Industry to revoke the licence at any time.

Arms Exports

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what components or associated equipment for Hawk aircraft and Scorpion tanks were licensed for export to Indonesia in 2002.

Nigel Griffiths: The details of all relevant export licences are published by destination in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. A copy of the 2002 Annual Report is available from the Libraries of the House.

Arms Exports

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if she will list the model and value of (a) aircraft cannons and (b) military use vehicles for which licences were granted for export to Indonesia in 2002;
	(2)  if she will list the models of (a) aircraft cannons, (b) armoured fighting vehicles, (c) armoured personnel carriers, (d) combat aircraft, (e) combat helicopters and (f) general military aircraft for which components or associated equipment were licensed for export to Indonesia in 2002; and what the nature was of the components or associated equipment in each case.

Nigel Griffiths: The details of all relevant export licences are published by destination in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. A copy of the 2002 Annual Report is available from the Libraries of the House.
	It would entail disproportionate cost to provide information on the models, values, components and associated equipment for which licences were granted for the proposed export to Indonesia since 2 May 1997.

BNFL

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public money has been invested by BNFL in the US Nuclear Energy Institute in each year from 1997 to date.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 16 June 2003
	Subscriptions made by BNFL Inc. and Westinghouse Electric Company to the US Nuclear Energy Institute are a matter for BNFL.

Departmental Costs

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to her Department for (a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aeroplanes in each year since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: For parts (a and f) of the question I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 17 July 2003, Official Report, column 500W.
	For parts (b, c, d and e) the DTI has devolved to local management the authorisation of travel claims for its staff, subject to checking procedures. It does not record the cost of taxis, train travel, helicopters or airline tickets used by staff separately. To obtain accurate data for the information requested would entail disproportionate cost.

Egg Industry

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the impact of possible reductions in European Union import tariffs on the UK egg industry.

Ben Bradshaw: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government are in favour of substantial market liberalisation and it is our policy to encourage international trade. Reductions in import tariffs will open the EU market to greater competition but the UK egg industry is in a strong position to compete through its ability to adapt quickly to market needs including through the operation of quality assurance schemes.

Electricity Supply Companies

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the companies supplying electricity to domestic consumers, indicating the nationality of the individuals and organisations holding a controlling interest.

Stephen Timms: The largest domestic electricity supply companies are Powergen, Innogy, Centrica, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy.
	Centrica, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy are British owned. EDF Energy is owned by Electricite de France; Powergen is owned by German utility; EON and Innogy is also owned by a German company, RWE.
	There are also many smaller independent companies providing electricity to consumers.
	Further details of all the companies licensed to supply domestic electricity in the UK can be found on the Ofgem website: www.ofgem.gov.uk

European Constitution

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with (a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European Union about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European constitution.

Jacqui Smith: As part of the normal Whitehall process, my officials and I have had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. We have also had regular contact with member and accession states to discuss issues arising in the Convention. In line with exemptions 1 and 2 of the 'Code of Practice on Access to Government Information', it is not the normal practice of Governments to disclose details about internal discussions, or information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs.

International Regulation

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on working towards international regulations on the practices of companies operating in developing countries in areas where voluntary codes of practice have proved ineffective.

Mike O'Brien: The Government do not believe that a blanket regulatory approach at the international level would be a helpful or practicable one in respect of the wide variety of circumstances and impacts related to the activities of companies in developing countries. The Government will, however, continue actively promoting awareness of, and behaviour consistent, with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which provide recommendations on responsible business conduct and adherence to standards of behaviour supplemental to applicable law in individual countries.

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the (a) foreign and (b) UK visits she has made since 1 April 2003; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; who she met; and what gifts were received.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government publish the overall costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 on an annual basis. The list for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 was published by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16 July 2003, Official Report, column 482W. The next list for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 will be published at the end of the financial year.
	In respect of gifts received, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 March 2003, Official Report, column 482W.
	Since 1 April 2003, I have undertaken the following visits in the UK:
	
		
			 2003 UK visits 
		
		
			 2 April Visit to Oxford Engineering in Abingdon for the launch of the Manufacturing Advisory Service Report  
			 15 April Visit to Landrover/Jaguar at Browns Lane, Coventry 
			 20 June Visit to CORUS plant on Teesside 
			 4 July Opening of East Midlands airport new terminal building and opening of the new Price Waterhouse building at Pegasus Business Park, Nottingham followed by an East Midlands in Europe lunch with business people at Autofil Ltd., Annesley, Nottinghamshire 
		
	
	The cost of travel for my visits in the UK between 1 April and 31 July 2003 is £2,000. This figure includes travel costs for the accompanying Private Secretary which cannot be separated out.

Post Offices

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices were closed due to (a) unprofitability and (b) the reorganisation of the Post Office in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000, (v) 2001, (vi) 2002 and (vii) 2003.

Stephen Timms: I understand from Post Office Ltd. that no data is held on the profitability or unprofitability of privately owned sub post offices that close. I also understand that net post office closures in the last six financial years were as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Year to end March 1998 243 
			 Year to end March 1999 233 
			 Year to end March 2000 382 
			 Year to end March 2001 547 
			 Year to end March 2002 262 
			 Year to end March 2003 (8)345 
		
	
	(8) The figure for the year to end March 2003 includes 102 post office closures under the urban reinvention programme.

Public Sector Contracts

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans her Department has to improve small business access to public sector contracts; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: A cross Government response to the Better Regulation Task Force report is due later in September and the DTI will take appropriate measures to support small business in implementing the response.

Recycled Paper

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what volume of recycled paper was exported in each year from 1997 to date to (a) China, (b) the Middle East and (c) the Far East; and what percentage of the total volume of recycled paper in the UK in each of those years this represented.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is not available because the system of classification used to record trade does not separately identify recycled paper.

Renewable Energy

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effects of investment in renewable energy on reversing (a) climate change and (b) energy shortage.

Stephen Timms: The Energy White Paper, published earlier this year, estimated that by 2020 carbon emissions could be reduced by three to five million tonnes by achieving our aspiration of doubling the renewable share of electricity generation between 2010 and 2020. Diversification of our sources of energy supply will also contribute to increasing security of supply.

Renewable Energy

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the Government's 2010 target for renewables (a) has been met and (b) is outstanding.

Stephen Timms: The information is as follows:
	(a) In 2002, the most recent year for which figures are available, 1.7 per cent. of our electricity came from renewable sources eligible for the Renewables Obligation. (Generation from all renewable sources, including large-scale hydro, was 3.0 per cent.)
	(b) The outstanding amount to reach a target of 10 per cent. of our electricity from renewables eligible for the Renewables Obligation is therefore 8.3 per cent.

Renewable Energy

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what ways she is working with the Scottish Executive on targets to meet renewable energy.

Stephen Timms: The Department works closely with the Scottish Executive on renewable energy issues. There is a regular dialogue between Departments to share information and to monitor the progress that renewable energy sources are making.
	The Department has responsibility for the overall UK renewable energy target of 10 per cent. of electricity supplies to be generated from renewable sources by 2010. Renewable targets set within Scotland are a matter for the devolved Administration.

Renewable Energy

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in other countries in Europe on their experience in renewables.

Stephen Timms: DTI Ministers and officials regularly engage with their European counterparts on the subject of renewables through such fora as the European Commission and the International Energy Agency, as well as bilateral meetings. Most recently, I met with my European counterparts during the joint energy and environment informal meeting at Montecatini in July, organised by the Italian Presidency, where much of the focus was on renewables.

Renewable Energy

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to encourage electricity companies to invest in renewable energy.

Stephen Timms: The Government have introduced a range of measures to encourage electricity companies to invest in renewable energy. The recently published Energy White Paper, "Our Energy Future—Creating a Low Carbon Economy", sets out the policy on the increasing role renewable technologies will play in our overall energy policy, and highlights many of the successes that have already been achieved.
	Our initial target is that 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity sales should be from renewable-sourced electricity by 2010. To help achieve the necessary growth to reach that target, we have introduced a number of initiatives:
	The Renewables Obligation (and associated Renewables Obligation Scotland). Introduced in April 2001, these require all licensed electricity suppliers in Great Britain to supply a specified and growing proportion of their sales from renewable sources.
	The Obligation is underpinned by a package of funding worth nearly £350 million, which will support our on-going New and Renewable R&D programme, and extensive programmes of capital grants for new and emerging technologies such as energy crops and other forms of bio-energy, offshore wind, solar photovoltaics, wave and tidal power.
	In order to develop our offshore wind potential, last year we published a consultation entitled "Future Offshore", which sets out a strategic framework to support the development of that industry. We have announced that future development should take place in three strategically significant areas—namely the North West (including Liverpool Bay), the Greater Wash and the Thames Estuary and plan to announce next month the names of successful bidders for projects within those areas.
	The Renewables UK unit to was set up last year within DTI with the specific aim of maximizing the benefits of renew ables to UK industry, and to help that industry develop.
	Industrial users of renewable sourced electricity also benefit from exemption from Climate Change Levy payments.

Renewable Energy

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department's support for renewable energy research.

Stephen Timms: A renewables innovation review is in progress and should be completed by end November 2003. It includes an assessment of past and present support programmes. A key aim is to ensure the Department's support is targeted so as to achieve maximum effect.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Martin Caton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on progress made with the alternative livelihoods elements of the drug strategy in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Eliminating illicit opium production in Afghanistan is a long-term challenge. The Afghan Government has set a target for eliminating cultivation within 10 years. The development of alternative livelihoods for poor people currently involved in opium production will take time. But work has started on a number of livelihoods programmes.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) is providing £20 million over three years to our livelihoods programme in Afghanistan. We are working with the Afghanistan Transitional Administration and maintaining coordination with other donors to develop and implement a coherent national sustainable livelihoods strategy for Afghanistan.
	Our main contribution to implementing the Afghan national counter-narcotics strategy is in facilitating opportunities for those currently involved in poppy cultivation to obtain alternative livelihoods, based on legal activities either in agriculture, small businesses or employment.
	We are funding with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (£3.75 million) and the Aga Khan Development Network (£1 million) to pilot targeted livelihoods projects in areas affected by poppy cultivation. Lessons learnt from these projects can then be built on and incorporated into the national strategy.
	We are also funding programmes under the National Development Budget, such as the National Solidarity Programme (£2 million in this financial year), to provide greater social protection and better natural resource management. In support of these programmes we are working with other donors to provide a flexible package of technical assistance and training resources to increase the capacity of the Ministries of Rural Rehabilitation and Development and Agriculture and Animal Husbandry to manage priority investment programmes relevant to rebuilding livelihoods.

Afghanistan

Martin Caton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what liaison there will be between NGOs, UN agencies and the Transitional Administration in implementing Afghanistan's budget programmes.

Hilary Benn: The Afghan Government has established a system of Consultative Groups, which cover a wide range of policy areas crucial to the reconstruction process such as Health, Education, Infrastructure, Refugees and Returnees and Security amongst others. The Consultative Groups facilitate effective cooperation between the various donor governments, NGOs, UN agencies and other aid organisations in the planning, financing and implementation of the goals outlined in the National Development Budget for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Linda Perham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent representations the Department has received on international investment in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: DFID has received recent representations from a UK based International Management Consultancy, McKinsey and Company. The company has developed a proposal on behalf of the Afghan Minister of Finance for a Venture Capital Fund to be launched in November 2003. The Fund will provide entrepreneurs with capital and business coaching. The proposal is being considered by officials.
	My Department has also received representations from Standard Chartered Bank. It will, as soon as relevant banking legislation is passed, be the first international bank operating in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the humanitarian consequences of the flooding of (a) southern and (b) north eastern districts of Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Recent wet weather has brought relief to Afghanistan after years of drought; however many houses in the poverty-stricken country are held together with mud and timber and are ill-equipped to cope with heavy rains.
	In May of this year three people were killed, 30 houses destroyed and 70 partially damaged as a result of heavy rainfall and flash floods in Baghlan, Kunduz and Takhar provinces in north eastern Afghanistan. Most personal belongings and food reserves were destroyed or buried in mud. Large swathes of arable land were also covered in mud following the floods.
	In the southern province of Helmand, at least 30 people were killed after powerful floods washed away their houses on 20 April.
	DFID is supporting the work of the UNHCR in Afghanistan (£5.8 million so far in 2003) who supplied tents, soap and food items to affected families through the local disaster management structure. Also the FAO has provided advice on remedial action, which can be taken by farmers to salvage their crops.

Botswana

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what criteria the Department applies to the classification of groups of people as indigenous peoples; how these criteria apply to the classification of the (a) Gana, (b) Gwi and (c) Bakgalagadi peoples of Botswana; what discussions the Department has had with the Government of Botswana on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: There is no universally agreed definition of the criteria for classifying certain groups as indigenous people. The Government does not have its own hard and fast definition. We recognise that indigenous people are often particularly poor and vulnerable, and encourage governments to consult carefully with them about their needs and interests. We have discussed the situation of San communities in Botswana at ministerial level on several recent occasions.

Burundi

Andrew Love: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action the Department has taken to assist in improving the systems of justice to deal with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: A number of donor countries are providing support to the justice sector in Burundi, particularly Belgium. DFID's support therefore focuses on a number of other areas equally critical to Burundi's prospects where we feel we can have an important role. These include political and financial help to support the delivery of a lasting ceasefire and implementation of the Arusha Accords; support for demobilisation and reintegration and security sector reform; development and implementation of a national poverty reduction strategy; increased management capacity to ensure macro-economic stability; the implementation of a national plan for HIV/AIDS prevention; as well as on-going humanitarian assistance. We are working closely with our international partners to achieve these objectives.

Burundi

John Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Hilary Benn: The general humanitarian situation in Burundi remains poor, with very high levels of malnutrition, and, resulting from this, high levels of mortality. There are serious problems of access to some communities.
	So far this financial year we have provided funding of £400,000 through Medecins Sans Frontieres for medical support in Bujumbura Rural and nutrition programmes in Karuzi. We are about to make a contribution of £500,000 to the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal 2003 and are currently considering a number of humanitarian proposals from other international NGOs and agencies.
	We stand ready to make further responses to the humanitarian needs of those most vulnerable, focusing on health and nutrition support through international relief organisations.

Burundi

John Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance his Department is giving to displaced persons on Bujumbura, Burundi.

Hilary Benn: The UK's humanitarian support to Burundi includes a £400,000 grant to Medecins Sans Frontieres for emergency health work, which benefits displaced persons in Bujumbura by increasing access to basic health and to emergency surgical services. We envisage a further £500,000 contribution to the UN Consolidated Appeal in the near future. We continue to monitor the humanitarian situation and will continue to respond to requests for support in line with perceived humanitarian priorities.

Chad

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action his Department is taking to help Central African Republic refugees living in southern Chad.

Hilary Benn: We do not provide bilateral assistance to the Central African Republic or to the Republic of Chad. Our development assistance is provided throughmultilateral channels such as the EC and the UN agencies that operate in the two countries.

Common Agricultural Policy

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what impact recent reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy will have on developing countries.

Hilary Benn: The deal agreed by the Agriculture Council on 26 June represents a real shift in agricultural policy which will benefit developing countries as well as European farmers and taxpayers. The most important change is the de-linking of support from production, but there have also been significant changes to some commodity regimes. The reforms should connect European farmers more closely to the market and begin to reduce excessive production which results in dumping and harms developing countries, The deal will also pave the way for reforms to other EU commodity regimes and most importantly should give new momentum to the current round of WTO agriculture negotiations.

Ethiopia

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the drought in southern Ethiopia.

Hilary Benn: Inadequate rainfall affected food production in many parts of the country, leading vulnerable communities to experience food shortages and nutrition related illnesses. In response, food aid has been distributed, and supplementary and therapeutic feeding programmes have been established to assist those most affected.
	This response has helped to reduce levels of malnutrition. However recent reports have indicated high levels of child malnutrition persisting in some parts of southern region. In these districts, government and NGOs are distributing dry ration (cereals), targeted supplementary food and have established additional therapeutic feeding centres.
	The situation has now stabilised. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to provide additional support as necessary.

Ethiopia

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the levels of child prostitution in Ethiopia.

Hilary Benn: In May this year the Ethiopian Government ratified the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (182) which commits it to take immediate and effective measures to secure prohibition and elimination of extreme forms of child labour including the use, procuring or offering of children for prostitution or pornography. We do not currently have access to published statistics specifying the extent of the problem in Ethiopia.
	DFID has funded an Information Communications Technologies project (ICT) in partnership with civil society organisations and the private sector, which seeks to provide street children with skills to enable them to gain beneficial employment. Specific project outputs include: ICT-based support to a girls club for the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and ICT delivery of health related and life skills established through a drop-in centre for the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Ethiopia

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what work his Department is undertaking with the Government of Ethiopia to ensure that all Ethiopians suffering from the HIV and aids virus have access to anti-retroviral drugs; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: An estimated 2.1 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, from a population of 67 million.
	The Government of Ethiopia are continuing to work on necessary health regulatory systems such as anti-retroviral guidelines on formulation and dosage, and on the procurement, distribution and use of anti-retroviral drugs in Ethiopia. In July 2003, anti-retroviral drugs (generic and brand names) were legally introduced in Ethiopia for paying patients. However, due to scarcity of resources, the Government of Ethiopia are unable to provide free anti-retroviral drugs to all.
	DFID is funding Medecins Sans Frontiers to undertake a pilot HIV/AIDS project in Humera in West Tigray to distribute anti-retroviral drugs for treating HIV/AIDS patients. This is being done in close collaboration with the Regional Health Bureau and National HIV/AIDS Council and will serve as a pilot for larger scale schemes.

Internet

John Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the use of the internet for communities in the developing world as a tool for self-reliance.

Hilary Benn: DFID promotes the internet's use by communities in the developing world as a tool for self-reliance in several of its programmes in the field of Information communication technologies for development. For each of these programmes careful and thorough consideration has been given to ensure their effectiveness and extent to which they could be used as a tool for self-reliance. We also provide support for research into wider potential impact of the internet in local communities in developing countries.

Internet

John Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action the Department is taking to expand the use of (a) internet access and (b) electronic information to communities in developing countries.

Hilary Benn: (a) DFID is carrying out a number of initiatives designed to expand internet access in developing countries. These include:
	Catalysing Access to Information Communications Technologies in Africa (CATIA) 2003–06 which promotes reform and affordable access to new and traditional Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) across Africa and forms part of our response to the G8 Africa Action Plan.
	Building Digital Opportunities consists of a package of cross-sectoral initiatives that address some of the key barriers and opportunities for ICTs in achieving development targets.
	(b) DFID is also funding the Open Knowledge Network, an innovative project using ICTs to enable poor people to create and exchange local information and knowledge electronically, eventually on a global basis.

Liberia

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions the Department has had with non-governmental organisations on efforts to prevent cholera, gastro-enteritis, diarrhoea and dehydration in the refugee camps in and around Monrovia, Liberia.

Hilary Benn: DFID has had a humanitarian assessment mission in Liberia since 15 August 2003, which has conducted assessments into the needs of the displaced populations in and around Monrovia. With overcrowding in the centres of displacement, and inadequate water and sanitation facilities, diarrhoeal diseases are reported to have increased, and cholera has been recorded (1,203 new cases were registered between 11 and 17 August in Monrovia, up from 727 cases in the previous week). We have had detailed discussions with the NGOs that are working in the health sector. Epidemic prevention measures are under way, and adequate quantities of supplies have been flown in and pre-positioned. An inter-NGO task force is monitoring the situation and coordinating prevention efforts. To date, we have committed £2.9 million in 2003 to the NGOs and international agencies providing health care in and around Monrovia. We have committed a further £4.7 million for additional humanitarian support. We are currently reviewing proposals submitted to us.

Liberia

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions the Department has had with non-governmental organisations on the level of relief supplies in refugee camps in and around Monrovia, Liberia.

Hilary Benn: DFID has had a humanitarian assessment mission in Liberia since 15 August 2003 which has had extensive discussions with NGOs and conducted extensive assessments into the needs of the refugees camps in and around Monrovia. These have drawn attention to critical shortfalls in refugees' access to clean water, health services, food, sanitation facilities, and nutritional care. To help address these needs, we have committed £4.7 million to support the humanitarian work of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs. This is in addition to the £2.9 million we have provided to international agencies and NGOs in Liberia so far this year.

Liberia

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department is giving to displaced persons in Liberia.

Hilary Benn: DFID has had a humanitarian assessment team in the region since 1 August 2003, and on the ground in Liberia since 15 August 2003. They have been assessing all aspects of the humanitarian crisis, including the needs of the displaced populations in and around Monrovia. The assessment has drawn attention to critical shortfalls in the displaced and host-population's access to clean water, health services, food, sanitation facilities and nutritional care. To address these needs, we have committed £4.7 million to support the humanitarian work of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs. This is in addition to the £2.9 million we have provided to international agencies and NGOs in Liberia so far this year.

Liberia

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the level of clean water, medical supplies and other essential provisions in refugee camps in and around Monrovia, Liberia.

Hilary Benn: DFID has had a humanitarian assessment mission in Liberia since 15 August 2003, which has conducted extensive assessments into the needs of the displaced populations in and around Monrovia. The assessment has drawn attention to critical shortfalls in the displaced and host-population's access to clean water, health services, food, sanitation facilities, and nutrition. To address these needs, DFID has approved £4.7 million to support the humanitarian work of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs. This is in addition to the £2.9 million we have provided to international agencies and NGOs in Liberia so far this year.

Liberia

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Liberia.

Hilary Benn: DFID has had a humanitarian assessment team in the region since 1 August 2003, and on the ground in Liberia since 15 August 2003. They have been assessing all aspects of the on-going humanitarian crisis, including the food, health, nutrition, water and sanitation sectors, and have been liaising with all humanitarian partners from the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the NGO community. Based on the team's assessment, we have finalised a humanitarian response strategy to which we have committed £4.7 million. This will bring the UK's total humanitarian assistance to Liberia to £7.6 million for 2003. We will continue to keep the situation under close review and focus funding on those agencies that have the best access to those most in need.

New Partnership for Africa's Development

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of progress on the New Partnership for Africa's Development plan in southern African countries.

Hilary Benn: The New Partnership of for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is a continent-wide plan with ambitious aims of tackling poverty in the whole of Africa through increased investment, better governance and a partnership with donors based on mutual accountability. The UK fully supports the aims of NEPAD and recognises that it is a long-term plan.
	NEPAD has made substantial progress since it was founded in 2001. 16 countries have signed up to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), a voluntary initiative to improve political, economic and corporate governance in Africa. The first reviews are due to take place later this year. NEPAD has also made progress in drawing up plans for an African Peace Keeping Capacity, and plans on priority areas including infrastructure, agriculture and environment. This progress will lead to long-term improvements in governance, peace keeping and investment in southern Africa as well as other African regions.
	Of the southern African countries, both Mozambique and South Africa have signed up to the APRM. Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique are particularly keen supporters of NEPAD and both Presidents are on the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee of NEPAD. NEPAD is reflected in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Indicative Strategic Paper. The Government of South Africa has a NEPAD outreach programme and a NEPAD coordinating point in its Department of Foreign Affairs- it is also seeking to establish NEPAD focal points in all Ministries. NEPAD is a long-term programme, it will take time to deliver, but it is gaining increasing support across the continent.

New Technology Provision

John Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action he is taking to ensure that new technology provided to communities in developing countries is appropriate for need, sensibly deployed and that local people are consulted about their requirements.

Hilary Benn: DFID funds several projects helping to provide new technology to developing country communities. Each of these has emerged from extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including representatives of the communities themselves, to ensure that the provision is fit for purpose and appropriate to their needs.
	In addition, DFID is widely engaged in research and advocacy through, for example, the UN Information Communication Technologies Task Force and the World Summit on the Information Society aimed at focusing new technology policy on the needs and interests of poor people in developing countries.

Nigeria

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what progress is being made towards the immunisation of people in Nigeria against polio.

Hilary Benn: Routine immunization coverage in Nigeria reaches about 27 per cent. of children with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). Due to the poor state of routine immunization services, the Federal Government of Nigeria established in 1997 the National Programme on Immunization (NPI). The NPI has focussed on providing supplementary, door-to-door coverage with OPV using National and Sub-national Immunization Days (NIDs and SNIDs). Around 40 million doses are administered through NIDs and SNIDs every year.
	Interruption of the transmission of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) had been achieved in 29 out of 37 states by 2001, but unfortunately the situation has again worsened, with confirmed cases in 15 states in the first half of 2003. All these states are in the north, and the south remains polio-free. Adverse propaganda by religious leaders is alienating some sections of the population from the immunization workers.
	My Department is working with the Nigerian Government and with other international partners to meet the challenge of polio eradication in Nigeria. This includes a grant of £50 million to the World Health Organization for polio work in the ten global priority countries.

Palestinian Refugees

Andrew Love: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what support the Department provides to Palestinian refugees in (a) Jordan, (b) Lebanon and (c) Syria for (i) health programmes and (ii) relief of poverty; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The great majority of DFID's support to Palestinian refugees is through contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) General Fund. This provides education, health, relief and social services to Palestinian refugees in all five fields of operations: Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. UNRWA determines the allocations between fields, and between sectors. In 2002, DFID contributed £13 million to UNRWA's General Fund. A similar contribution is planned for 2003. In addition, we fund various technical cooperation projects, including health programmes in Lebanon.

Sao Tome and Principe

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development 
	(1)  what analysis the Department has made of the effect of the military coup on (a) aid spending and (b) international development projects in Sao Tome and Principe; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much aid is spent directly by the Department in Sao Tome and Principe; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The UK does not have a development programme in Sao Tome and Principe. The main bilateral donors are Portugal, France, Spain and Taiwan and the principal multilateral donors are the World Bank, European Community and the African Development Bank. Most development projects focus on infrastructure, agriculture, health and education. The recent coup brought the country to a standstill for a few days. But apart from temporarily slowing down the efforts of the donor community, recent events seem to have had no other negative impact on development programmes.

Sao Tome and Principe

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what projects in Sao Tome and Principe are funded through aid from the Department; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID does not have a country programme for Sao Tome and Principe and therefore does not provide funding for particular projects in the country, apart from a small grants scheme for Angola and Sao Tome and Principe managed by the British Embassy in Luanda.

Secondments

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the Department's policy is on employing secondees from the private sector; how many secondees from the (a) private and (b) public sectors the Department employed in each year since 1997; from which companies and organisations they were seconded; at what level they were employed; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID encourages secondments from a wide range of organisations in both the private and public sectors.
	Information on inward secondments for the period 1997–98 to 1999–2000 is not readily available. The following statistics relate to secondments into DFID in each financial year from 2000–01.
	
		
			 Seconded to DFID Private Sector NGO Public Sector Organisations Grade(9) Total 
		
		
			 2000–01 3  1 1 Marconi 1 Virgin One 1 Cisco Systems  1 Other Government Dept 1 SCS 3 Band A 4 
			 2001–02  1 6 1 International Alert 2 Other Government Dept 1 Met Police 1 Crown Agents 2 European Commission 4 Band A 3 Band B 7 
			 2002–03   15 14 Other Government Dept 1 European Commission 2 SCS 1 Band A 12 Band B 15 
			 2003–04 1 1 8 1 Rio Tinto 1 Christian Aid 8 Other Government Dept 7 Band A 3 Band B 10 
		
	
	(9) SCS: Senior Civil Service
	(10) Band A: Senior Executive Officer to Senior Principal [Grade 6]
	(11) Band 8: Executive Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Civil Service Fast Stream

Sierra Leone

Andrew Love: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what aid has been provided to Sierra Leone in each of the last five years; what private investment has taken place as a result; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The total value of UK official aid to Sierra Leone in each of the last five financial years is as follows:
	
		
			  £ thousand 
		
		
			 1998–99 9,153 
			 1999–2000 30,044 
			 2000–01 35,148 
			 2001–02 37,177 
			 2002–03 32,756 
		
	
	Our programme does not include direct measures to promote investment. We have focussed on reconstruction and recovery programmes, security sector and governance reforms and budgetary support. The programme is intended to assist the development of safety and security and accountable and effective governance. These are essential conditions for investors. Key areas of our support for the promotion of investor confidence are public financial management, audit and public procurement reform, law reform, support to the Anti Corruption Commission and effective regulation of the diamond industry.
	We have recently carried out a review of programmes by the Government of Sierra Leone and other donors to support employment and investment, and are considering the possibility of supporting such programmes. We have also agreed a request by the Government to support a post of adviser on privatisation and investment in the Office of the President.

Sudan

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage a free press in Sudan.

Hilary Benn: We have regularly raised press freedom with the Government of Sudan bilaterally and through the EU-Sudan Political Dialogue, including at its most recent meeting on 21 July when EU Heads of Mission raised the closure of newspapers and restrictions on reporting. On 9 August President Beshir announced the complete lifting of press censorship. Our Embassy in Khartoum will monitor implementation of this arrangement. In 2003–04 DFID is funding a £9,570 training package for 60 selected young Sudanese journalists in modern journalist skills including editing, publishing and translation.

Sudan

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the warning of the World Food Programme that food rations in Sudan may be cut by 50 per cent.due to a lack of funding.

Hilary Benn: We remain concerned over World Food Programme reports that only 30 per cent. of their programmes are funded at present. We have provided two and a half million pounds so far this year and will consider further contributions as the need arises, in order that food is provided to vulnerable populations throughout Sudan.
	We welcome the progress both the United Nations and World Food Programme have made in recent months to expand humanitarian access; after a gap of five years, the World Food Programme has recently completed a successful barge operation delivering 2000 MT of food to 500,000 people (some for the first time)—and at a considerable saving when compared to the costs of air travel.
	We are also aware of the discussions between United States and Government of Sudan over the latter's change in policy regarding the import of genetically modified foods, and hope this can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

Uganda

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of child soldiers in Uganda.

Hilary Benn: Exact numbers of child soldiers within the regular Ugandan Army have yet to be confirmed. We believe that the Government of Uganda is taking serious steps to address this issue. In May 2002 it ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It has reinforced army recruitment systems in an attempt to screen out underage recruits. The issue remains a problem for the auxiliary forces, although the numbers are believed to be relatively small. UNICEF, diplomatic missions (including the UK) and the Uganda Human Rights Commission have brought specific cases to the Army's attention. With UNICEF's co-operation, we understand that these children are in the process of being demobilised. We will continue to monitor this issue closely.
	UNICEF Uganda also estimates that the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group operating in Northern Uganda, has abducted 20,400 children since 1990. Abduction and forced conscription of children is the chief recruitment method of the LRA. 6,000 of these children have yet to be accounted for.

World Trade Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Government will provide human resources to aid developing nations in the negotiation process at the forthcoming WTO meeting in Cancun.

Hilary Benn: The UK trade related capacity building programme continues to provide support to developing countries to build their capacity to negotiate favourable deals in trade negotiations, interpret trade agreements, take advantage of new trading opportunities and reduce any negative effects of trade liberalisation. This includes support to organisations in Geneva offering independent advice, information on WTO issues and networking opportunities for countries with common interests or concerns. This will enable developing countries to draw up informed negotiating positions and connect with other countries with similar interests.

Zimbabwe

John Barrett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the latest crop forecasts are in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Zimbabwe's maize crop was harvested in May. A joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Zimbabwe (19 June 2003) indicated that although national cereal production was considerably up on last year, a significant food gap remains.
	The Report estimated that cereal production for consumption in 2003–04 will be 980,000 tonnes. This is 41 per cent. higher than last year, but 51 per cent. below the 2000–01 harvest, which was itself significantly below average. Production of maize, the main staple, is forecast at 803,000 tonnes. This is 61 per cent. up on last year, but 46 per cent. lower than in 2000–01 and represents less than half of the national requirement. Wheat production has dramatically declined.
	Although food is now available in many areas, some areas (such as Matabeleland), will require food throughout the year. By January/February of 2004, the UN estimate that 5.5 million Zimbabweans will need help obtaining food. The UK government have just approved support for another £8 million for food aid through organisations such as CAFOD, Save the Children and Christian Aid. This includes food aid for vulnerable groups such as farm workers, children and the chronically ill. The European Commission has also contributed Euro25 million (of which the UK share is about Euro5 million) to this year's WFP emergency appeal.

Zimbabwe

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the effects of the food crisis in Zimbabwe on neighbouring countries.

Hilary Benn: The food crisis in Zimbabwe is part of a wider crisis of economic collapse and failure of governance. There is no definitive account of the overall effect on the region. However, it is clear that the dramatic shift in Zimbabwe's fortunes from a significant exporter of food to a massive importer—with the majority of its population needing food aid last year and perhaps half this year—has affected food security throughout the region. Food security in other countries in the region has improved significantly following the May harvests. While this short-term progress is welcome, long-term efforts to reduce the likelihood of further food crises in Southern Africa will be unlikely to succeed without significant policy reform and economic recovery in Zimbabwe.
	Long-term efforts to increase investment and build economies in Southern Africa will also be hampered so long as present Zimbabwean policies continue. There has been a significant fall in trade with Zimbabwe; increased debt arrears to its neighbours primarily by Zimbabwean state-owned enterprises; and a negative regional image to investors, which has affected levels of foreign direct investment. The poor control of foot and mouth disease now widespread in Zimbabwe has also affected Botswana and threatens South Africa. The increase in illegal trade avoiding government controls between Zimbabwe and its neighbours is an additional negative impact.
	The crisis is also leading to higher vulnerability to HIV infection through greater movement of people and higher levels of unsafe prostitution, and has prevented more positive measures to control this pandemic in Zimbabwe, which will impact on the region in years to come. Large-scale migration has also occurred, especially to Botswana and South Africa. This has had a negative impact in terms of the numbers, and sparsely populated Botswana's capacity to absorb such large numbers makes it especially affected. However given the relatively high levels of education of Zimbabweans, it will also have a positive impact on their economies at great cost to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.

Hilary Benn: Zimbabwe's maize crop was harvested in April/May, but some parts of the country are already in need of food aid. Although the maize crop is 41 per cent. higher than last year's, this is still less than half of the 2001 crop. The Government of Zimbabwe has prepared its appeal for humanitarian assistance, but has committed few resources of its own due to the dire state of the economy. The amount of food requested from the international community is therefore greater than last year.
	The UN and Non-Governmental Organisations are starting to scale up feeding operations. The World Food Programme fed just over one million people in July and this has increased to 1.5 million in August. Approximately another one million are being fed by other international organisations. The UN predicts that 5.5 million people in Zimbabwe (46 per cent. of the population) will require humanitarian assistance by the end of the year. The UK government has just approved support for another £8 million for food aid through organisations such as CAFOD, Save the Children and Christian Aid. This includes food aid for vulnerable groups such as farm workers, children and the chronically ill. The European Commission has also contributed euro 25 million (of which the UK share is about euro 5 million) to this year's WFP emergency appeal.
	The UK Government, along with other development partners, is concerned that a new Government of Zimbabwe policy on NGOs could undermine the independence of NGO controlled feeding programme. The UN has already informed Zimbabwe Government that this policy is undermining contributions to this year's emergency appeal. We will be monitoring the situation on the ground carefully and will be prepared to suspend feeding programmes if there are reports of political interference in food distribution.

TREASURY

Cancer (Gullet)

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many patients were diagnosed with cancer of the gullet in (a) 2002, (b) 1998, (c) 1994, (d) 1990, (e) 1986 and (f) 1982.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Simon Burns, dated 8 September 2003
	.
	Oesophageal cancer is commonly referred to as "cancer of the gullet". The numbers of registrations of newly diagnosed cases of cancer of the oesophagus in England for the years requested are given in the table below.
	Figures for 2002 are not available. The latest published figures are for 1999, as shown in the table. The first release of registrations of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in England for 2000 will be published on the National Statistics website at the end of August 2003.
	
		Registrations of newly diagnosed cases for oesophageal(12) cancer in England, persons, selected years
		
			  (12)Malignant neoplasm of oesophagus 
		
		
			 1982 3,924 
			 1986 4,339 
			 1990 4,981 
			 1994 5,611 
			 1998 5,730 
			 1999 5,893 
		
	
	Note:
	For the years 1991 to 1994, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision Code (ICD-9), code 150. For the years 1995 to 1999, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), code C15.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics.

Pre-eclampsia

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many babies (a) died and (b) were stillborn as a result of pre-eclampsia in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Simon Burns, dated 8 September 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of babies that (a) died or (b) were stillborn as a result of pre-eclampsia, during the last twelve months for which figures are available. (127447)
	In January 1986, with the introduction of a neonatal and stillbirth certificate in England and Wales, it is no longer possible to identify a single underlying cause of death, as equal weighting is given to the main conditions in the infant and the mother.
	In England and Wales for 2001, 60 babies under the age of one and 123 stillbirths had a mention of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia on the death certificate, including Hemolysis anaemia, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count syndrome.
	There were also 17 babies under the age of one and 37 stillbirths that had a mention of pregnancy induced hypertension which was not specified as eclampsia or pre-eclampsia.

Strokes

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people died from strokes and stroke-related diseases in each year between 1995 and 2002.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Chris Grayling, dated 8 September 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people died from strokes and stroke-related diseases in each year between 1995 and 2002. (127700)
	I refer you to the answer given in Hansard on 17 July 2003, column 463W to Paul Burstow MP. This indicated that figures are to be found in the annual reference volumes "Mortality Statistics: Cause DH2" and provided an explanation of changes in the data series in 2001.The latest publication in this series contains figures for stroke for 2001 and is available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme health/Dh2 28/DH2No28.pdf.

Aggregates Levy

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been raised from the aggregates levy in each region in the UK since the levy was introduced.

John Healey: Aggregate Levy revenue receipts and forecast revenues were published in Table C8 of this year's Financial Statement and Budget Report [HC 500]. These are provided for the UK as a whole and are not available by geographical region.

Aggregates Levy

Michael Mates: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much was raised by the aggregates levy on (a) virgin aggregate and (b) processed aggregate products in Northern Ireland in financial year 2002–03; and how much is forecast to be raised by the levy on each in Northern Ireland in each financial year from 2003–04 to 2006–07;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to monitor the environmental effects of the aggregates levy in (a) Great Britain and (b) Northern Ireland; and what the results have been;
	(3)  when his officials last visited Northern Ireland to assess the impact of the aggregates levy on (a) the economy and (b) the environment in Northern Ireland.

John Healey: Data for revenue collected under the aggregates levy come from levy returns submitted by aggregates businesses and so do not include information on different types of aggregate exploited. These data are recorded for the UK as a whole and are not separately available for Northern Ireland. Revenue forecasts for the aggregates levy are also made for the UK as a whole, and not by region. Revenue raised by the aggregates levy in 2002–03 is published in Table 2.1D of Financial Statistics, June 2003, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Revenue forecasts for 2003–04 are given in Table C8 of this year's Financial Statement and Budge Report (HC 500).
	Customs and Excise officials with policy and operational policy responsibility for the levy have visited Northern Ireland on a number of occasions to meet officials and industry representatives. The most recent meeting was in June and further meetings are planned.
	As with all taxes, the Government continue to monitor the impact of the aggregates levy as part of the Budget process. We recently commissioned further independent research into the effects of the levy in Northern Ireland and this research is continuing. The Northern Ireland aggregates industry has welcomed this further research and is fully involved in discussion with those undertaking it. The findings will help to inform policy relating to the levy in Northern Ireland.

ASPIRE Programme

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the suppliers with whom Inland Revenue held discussions with regard to the Inland Revenue ASPIRE programme; whether bidders for the ASPIRE programme had been subject to an Inland Revenue compliance investigation in the previous three years; and what tax and interest recoveries had been made from the potential bidders for the ASPIRE programme.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue had discussions with a large number of potential suppliers in the early stages of the ASPIRE competition who expressed an interest in bidding for the contract. These bidders were reduced to a short-list of BT plc, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and EDS in July 2002. As part of the development of their bids these three suppliers formed consortia with the following:
	BT plc are working with Computer Sciences Corporation and SchlumbergerSema.
	Cap Gemini Ernst & Young are working with Fujitsu Services.
	EDS are working with Accenture.
	The Inland Revenue has had frequent discussions with all seven companies since the short-listed bidders were announced.
	A provision in the ASPIRE Invitation to Tender (ITT) allowed the Inland Revenue to undertake a review of the tax affairs of the companies that responded to the ITT. These reports were used as a factor in the ASPIRE evaluation.

Census

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned into the effectiveness of current methods of research used to collect data for the United Kingdom's census; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Stephen O'Brien, dated 8 September 2003
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking about research into the effectiveness of the Census. (127405)
	Work is continuing within the Office for National Statistics (ONS), taking account of the evaluation of all aspects of the 2001 Census, to gain in particular, a better understanding of differences between the Census results and the previous mid-year population estimates. This research is wide ranging, including address-matching studies in Westminster and Manchester, a review of migration statistics and comparisons of census results with national and local administrative data sources.
	ONS recently published 'A demographic statistics service for the 21st century', a wide ranging review of population statistics issues that set out the areas for development in the next decade.
	More specific research into the future of the census is also underway, considering the modifications that could be made to a traditional census, taking account of the lessons from the 2001 Census and the potential of new technologies. Alternatives to the traditional census approach are also being explored including: a rolling census, covering successive sections of the population each year; a sample census, only covering a percentage of the population; producing statistics from existing person-based data held by government for administrative purposes; or some combination of these. The first phase of this research will result in recommendations being published in late 2003.

Census

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost was in real terms of compiling data for the (a) 1981, (b) 1991 and (c) 2001 census.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Stephen O'Brien, dated 8 September 2003
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the total cost was in real terms of compiling data for the (a) 1981, (b) 1991 and (c) 2001 Censuses (127407)
	The cost for the 2001 Census in England and Wales, is £207m over the life of the project (1993–94 to 2005–06). This cost includes amounts in respect of initial planning, development, for the funding of major tests in 1997 and the conduct of the Census Rehearsal in 1999. Costs also include scheduled contract payments, recruitment and training of all the field staff, the publicity campaign and those incurred in making any final adjustments, prior to live running, to procedures and systems following the Rehearsal.
	Compared to the previous Census in 1991, the 2001 Census incurred additional real costs to cope with increases in the number of households and the increased difficulty in contacting households in today's social conditions. There were also costs resulting from expanding the census outputs to meet more demanding user requirements. However, there were savings derived from the introduction of automation of many processes.
	The 2001 Census included the processing of 100% of responses to all questions, which was a major user requirement. This was not a viable option for the 1981 and 1991 Censuses using the technology available at the time, and for a number of questions only a 10 per cent sample of forms from these Censuses were processed. The cost of the 2001 Census also included the Census Coverage Survey as a key part of the methodology. This was a validation exercise on a much larger scale than the small post-enumeration surveys carried out in previous Censuses.

Child Tax Credit

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how long it takes on average to (a) complete and (b) process the application form for child tax credit; and whether his Department has a target for the number of applications to be processed.

Dawn Primarolo: The time taken to complete a tax credits claim form will depend on the particular circumstances of the claimant. Claims for which no further information is required, and which pass the various pre-award checks, go through the stages of calculating the award quickly and will normally be in payment within a few days.
	The form was subjected to rigorous usability testing before being introduced. This testing involved a sample number of existing tax credit recipients.

Credit Unions

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussion is taking place with the credit union trade associations on the process of establishing a simple representative body for credit unions in Britain; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: No such discussion is taking place. Credit unions are free to affiliate to any, or none, of the main trade associations, and to change their affiliation from time to time.

Credit Unions

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many members of credit unions and assets of credit unions there were, broken down by (a) affiliation to each credit union trade association and (b) no affiliation to a credit union trade association for the year ended 30 September 2002.

Paul Boateng: The latest available statistics on the credit union sector in Great Britain, for the end of 2001, have been published by the Financial Services Authority on its website, to which I refer the hon. Member. At the end of 2001, there were 365,934 members of credit unions in Great Britain, and their total assets were £263.4 million. Statistics for end of 2002 are not yet available, as not all the underlying returns have been received by the Financial Services Authority.
	The Financial Services Authority does not at present aggregate credit union returns information according to the separate affiliation of individual credit unions, so the breakdown of information requested is not available.

Credit Unions

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend industrial and provident society legislation to bring it into line with company law; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The Government is keen to see, where appropriate, a level playing field between industrial and provident societies and companies. The Industrial and Provident Society Act 2002 enables the Treasury to update industrial and provident society law, via secondary legislation, in line with changes in company legislation. The "Modernising Company Law White Paper", published in July 2002, announced a wide-ranging review of company law. In order to provide for a strategic, consistent and up-to-date approach, the Government believe that the general modernisation of industrial and provident society legislation in this area should be considered in the light of that review.

Customs and Excise

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he estimates the new investment announced for Customs will improve the service at (a) Newhaven, (b) Poole, (c) Isle of Wight, (d) Portsmouth and (e) Southampton; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The investment will be used by Customs to deploy new technology and extra operational activity at ports and airports to strengthen security at the UK frontier.

Customs and Excise

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest assessment of the total cost per year is of employing mobile Customs teams to cover the ports of Newhaven, Poole and the Isle of Wight rather than a limited permanent presence; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: For the fiscal year 2003–04, the current allocation of funds to cover travel and subsistence costs for Customs detection south region, which includes Newhaven, Poole and the Isle of Wight, is £1.7 million.

Customs and Excise

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the decision to remove the permanent Customs presence from Poole, the Isle of Wight and Newhaven ports; if he will perform a risk analysis of these plans; if he will overturn the decision; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: To meet the challenge of modern smugglers, Customs across the UK are changing their tactics and becoming more intelligence-led and less predictable. While it is important to maintain a level of deterrence at all locations—both at high-traffic, high-risk ports or airports, and at smaller, lower-risk locations—Customs cannot provide an effective detection capability nor any meaningful deterrence with small numbers of staff on regular and predictable rotas. Flexible, mobile teams can be deployed in larger numbers and with greater impact. Customs managers use risk assessment when deploying these teams to locations in the south and south west where they will have the greater impact on smuggling.

Customs and Excise

Candy Atherton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff will be allocated to the flexible customs team to be located at Plymouth under the Customs and Excise Business Plan; what their terms of reference will be; and what the team's (a) average and (b) maximum response times are expected to be.

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of days per year that the proposed mobile Customs teams will be able to have a presence in (a) Newhaven, (b) Poole and (c) Isle of Wight ports.

John Healey: Customs do not normally make available information concerning the deployment of operational law enforcement staff. Exemptions 4(b) and 7(b) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information apply.

Customs and Excise

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about HM Customs and Excise operations in (a) Chester, (b) Pembroke and (c) Swansea.

John Healey: Customs and Excise law enforcement operations in Chester, Pembroke and Swansea will be intelligence-led, supported by flexible, mobile teams. Customs also have offices in these locations undertaking a range of VAT, International Trade and Excise work.

Customs and Excise

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the use of mobile teams in the work of HM Customs and Excise.

John Healey: Experience demonstrates that flexible mobile teams allow Customs to deploy officers in larger numbers, less predictably and with greater impact, to any area of the UK, wherever intelligence identifies a risk.

Customs and Excise

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the value of goods seized by HM Customs in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003.

John Healey: Customs record the goods they seize by quantity not value. Many seized goods do not have a specific monetary value and an aggregate figure for the value of all goods seized by Customs is therefore not available.

Departmental Costs

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was to his Department for (a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aeroplanes in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Information relating to the cost of ministerial cars and drivers and of planes chartered for ministerial travel is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office.
	For expenditure by the Treasury on taxis up to 2000–01 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the then Economic Secretary (Ruth Kelly) on 4 February 2002, Official Report, column 698W.
	Information in respect of spending on taxis by the Treasury in 2001–02 and 2002–03, and on all other travel between 1997–98 and 2002–03, is set out in the table.
	
		£
		
			  Taxis Other travel 
		
		
			 1997–98 — 945,450 
			 1998–99 — 1,320,078 
			 1999–2000 — 1,510,944 
			 2000–01 — 1,578,198 
			 2001–02 120,189 1,508,016 
			 2002–03 129,503 1,387,813 
		
	
	All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules contained in the Department's staff handbook. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the publication "The Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

ECOFIN

Michael Connarty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 16 July; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: At the ECOFIN Council on 15 July, the UK was represented by our Permanent Representative to the EU and by the Treasury's Managing Director of Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance.
	The Italian Presidency presented its work programme. Following an exchange of views on the Presidency's Action Plan for Growth, Council Conclusions were agreed that invited the Commission and the EIB to conduct a needs assessment and make proposals for a programme to support growth and integration by improving and/or increasing overall investment and private sector involvement in TENs and R&D projects.
	EFC will assess these interim reports and prepare the Council discussion of the issue at the 7 October ECOFIN Council. The UK said that the highest priority was the Lisbon structural reform agenda and that the new initiative should be complementary.
	The Council agreed without debate a recommendation on the Netherlands' Stability programme.
	The Council agreed, without discussion, to a recommendation that Jean-Claude Trichet be appointed the President of the European Central Bank for a term of office of eight years. Under the provisions of the EC Treaty, only the member states which have adopted the euro can be involved in the appointment of the president of the ECB. The UK Protocol makes it clear that the UK does not participate in such appointments.
	The Council also agreed a mandate for the Financial Services Committee to prepare a report on the progress of financial integration and its economic benefits and to look further into areas where this integration might deliver significant increased economic benefits to the EU. This report will prepare a debate in the 2004 spring Council on key areas for further action.
	ECOFIN agreed Conclusions on the adoption of International Accounting Standards (IAS), stressing the importance of their adoption from 2005, including the immediate adoption of all existing IAS except those on financial instruments and the adoption of standards on financial instruments as soon as possible. The UK supported the adoption of all the relevant existing IAS. Its concerns were fully covered by the Conclusions.
	Under any other business, the Council exchanged views on the Commission's proposed VAT Reduced Rates Review. The UK welcomed the review, but noted that it would not accept any proposal which would remove its zero rates on children's clothes and shoes.
	No votes were taken at the meeting.

Euro

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what funds have been allocated by his Department for the Government's campaign to promote UK entry to the European single currency.

Paul Boateng: I refer to the answer the Economic Secretary gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 458W.

European Economic Convergence

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 3 July, Official Report, column 370W, on European Economic Convergence, what research he has commissioned into using discretionary fiscal policy to offset inflationary pressures; and if he will publish the results of this research.

Paul Boateng: The Treasury published a paper "Fiscal Stabilisation and EMU" that included a discussion of these issues.

European Economic Convergence

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 14 July, Official Report, column 132W, on European Economic Convergence, what the element of pre-commitment is.

Paul Boateng: In the context of my answer of 14 July, Official Report, column 132W, on European Economic Convergence, and with reference to the discussion paper "Fiscal Stabilisation and EMU", the element of pre-commitment refers to the institutional arrangements that would be put in place to demonstrate that stabilisation policy was credible, symmetric and consistent with sound public finances.

Fuel Duty Rebates

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what value he attributed in pence per litre to (a) carbon dioxide saving, (b) improved local air quality, (c) diversity of supply and (d) economic development benefits in calculating duty rebates for (i) LPG and (ii) biodiesel and bioethanol.

John Healey: The Government offers lower duty rates for less environmentally-damaging fuels by offering duty differentials relative to the main road fuels. These differentials are intended primarily to reflect the relative environmental benefits of the fuel in question, but they also take account of other factors, such as costs of production and supply, and wider social and economic benefits, including fuel security and the potential to encourage the recycling of waste products. In the light of all these factors, we have set a duty incentive of 20 pence per litre in the case of biodiesel and bioethanol. For road fuel gases the incentives, when converted from pence per kilogram to the equivalent pence per litre, are 39.72 pence per litre for natural gases and 40.42 pence per litre for liquefied petroleum gas.
	It would not, however, be appropriate to compare the duty incentive for biofuels with those for road fuel gases. The latter are directed predominantly at improvement in local air quality rather than as a carbon saving measure. They also face significant market barriers: they require a dedicated and separate re-fuelling infrastructure and vehicles have to be converted or be specifically designed to use gaseous fuels. In contrast, incentives for biofuels are focused on climate change issues and greenhouse gas reductions. Biofuel blends can be supplied through the existing re-fuelling infrastructure and used in existing vehicles.

Home Improvements (Finance)

Peter Pike: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received asking him to reduce VAT on home improvements; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with (a) other government departments, (b) housing bodies and (c) other interested bodies on VAT on home improvements for poor housing; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what recent representations he has received on improving poor housing stock and tackling problems of empty homes through financial grants; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The Government have already taken targeted and efficient action through the tax system and through public spending to support the regeneration of the UK's existing housing stock, including the introduction of reduced VAT rates on the renovation of empty properties and the £500 million housing market renewal fund for Pathfinder areas.
	The Government continues to receive representations from a wide range of interested bodies seeking additional reduced rates of VAT or additional grant funding to assist further in the renewal of the UK's housing stock and discussions take place on a regular basis where necessary to explore these proposals in more detail.
	The Government will consider all representations for new reduced rates in the context of the European Commission's upcoming review of the reduced rates provisions in the EC Sixth VAT Directive, and will consider all representations for increases in public spending in the context of the next Spending Review.

Inland Revenue

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue submitted the Supplementary Memorandum published in the 29th Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2002–03, HC 332; how the adjustments in transfer pricing cases in the three years to 31 March 2002 referred to in the memorandum arose in each year; and how many adjustments arose from (a) LBO and (b) International Division-led cases in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of adjustments was as follows:
	
		
			  LBO led Revenue policy (international) led 
		
		
			 1999–2000 158 105 
			 2000–01 195 72 
			 2001–02 166 72

Inland Revenue

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the criteria were by which the Commissioners of Inland Revenue individually qualified for performance pay in each year since 1999–2000; and what performance pay they (a) might have been paid and (b) were paid in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: The Commissioners are members of the Senior Civil Service (SCS), and as such subject to the rules for SCS pay. In accordance with Government policy on pay in the civil service those rules provide for consolidated base pay and bonuses to be performance related. So in all years since 1999–2000 the Commissioners could receive performance related pay.
	The pay of senior civil servants is reviewed annually by the Government, advised by the Senior Salaries Review Body. The pay of Permanent Secretaries, including the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, is determined by the Permanent Secretaries Remuneration Committee; in its deliberations, the Committee has decided to follow the broad lines of the pay system which applies to senior civil servants generally.
	The table sets out the range of performance related base pay and bonus awards which the Commissioners might have been paid.
	
		
			  Base pay (Percentage) Bonus 
		
		
			 1999–2000 0 to 10.5 Circa £300 to £400 
			 2000–01 0 to 11 £300 
			 2001–02 0 to 11 £300 
			 2002–03 0 to10 High 4.23 per cent.,Medium 3 per cent. 
			 2003–04 0 to 9 High 10.2 per cent.,Medium 5.2 per cent. 
		
	
	The pay of the Commissioners and other Board members is set out, in bands of £5,000, in the Inland Revenue Annual Reports. Details of performance appraisal, and of consequential pay adjustments, are considered to be confidential to the individual concerned.

Inland Revenue

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of Inland Revenue postal enquiries received a complete response within 15 working days in each of the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: The total volume of correspondence, and the percentage dealt with in the Inland Revenue local office network within 15 working days, in each of the last 12 months were as follows:
	
		
			  Total post received (million) Percentage dealt with within 15 days 
		
		
			 2002   
			 June 6.501 79.9 
			 July 4.971 77.0 
			 August 6.447 77.7 
			 September 5.249 73.4 
			 October 5.547 72.3 
			 November 6.674 75.8 
			 December 5.309 77.6 
			 2003   
			 January 6.619 78.4 
			 February 5.957 83.3 
			 March 6.104 84.0 
			 April 5.503 85.6 
			 May 7.568 79.6

Inland Revenue

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of telephone calls to local Inland Revenue offices were answered at the switchboard within 20 seconds in each of the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: The number and percentage of telephone calls answered within 20 seconds in the Inland Revenue local office network in each of the last 12 months were as follows:
	
		
			  Number (million) Percentage 
		
		
			 2002   
			 June 2.575 89.6 
			 July 3.296 88.5 
			 August 2.763 90.4 
			 September 2.959 88.8 
			 October 3.129 92.7 
			 November 2.982 93.3 
			 December 2.231 92.0 
			 2003   
			 January 2.473 87.6 
			 February 2.754 91.2 
			 March 3.130 86.4 
			 April 3.107 85.5 
			 May 3.286 80.9 
			 June 3.243 83.1

Inland Revenue

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of callers to Inland Revenue enquiry centres without an appointment were attended to within 15 minutes in each of the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: The number and percentage of personal callers to Inland Revenue Enquiry Centres attended to within 15 minutes in each of the last 12 months is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of callers attended to in15 minutes (000s) Percentage 
		
		
			 2002   
			 July 289.5 96.7 
			 August 327.9 97.0 
			 September 331.1 96.4 
			 October 277.5 98.0 
			 November 294.5 98.7 
			 December 171.6 98.9 
			 2003   
			 January 561.2 97.6 
			 February 283.7 97.9 
			 March 298.7 97.5 
			 April 318.2 88.3 
			 May 465.3 69.3 
			 June 336.3 72.1

Iraq

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the projected cost is of British troops being stationed in Iraq for a further (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months and (d) 24 months.

Paul Boateng: The Government remains committed to maintaining appropriate forces in Iraq for as long as is necessary. Parliament will be invited to vote on provision for 2003–04 in Supplementary Estimates.

Office for National Statistics

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the projected budget for the Office of National Statistics is for (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 8 September 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the projected budget for the Office for National Statistics for (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05. (127216)
	Information on the planned budget for 2003–04 and 2004–05 can be found in Table 1 of the Office for National Statistics 2003 Spring Departmental Report (Cm 5931), copies of which are available in the House of Commons library. A copy of the Report is also available on the National Statistics website at the following reference: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme other/ONS Spring03 Departmental Report.pdf

Regional Gross Value Added

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the most recent estimates are for regional gross value added; and when new estimates will be released.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 8 September 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question on what are the most recent estimates for regional Gross Value Added; and when new estimates will be released. (127215)
	The most recent estimates of regional Gross Value Added were published on 14 August 2003 (for revised 1989–1999 data) and 20 August 2003 (for 2000–2001 data).
	The data are available in the House of Commons Library and on the Office for National Statistics web site at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/regionalaccounts.
	Regional (NUTS level 1) Gross Value Added estimates for 2002 are due to be published in March 2004. Sub-regional (NUTS levels 2 and 3) estimates of Gross Value Added for 2001 are due to be published in October 2003.

Store Cards

John Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of high interest rates on store cards on consumer spending.

Paul Boateng: The Government's latest forecast of household expenditure was published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 500) on 9 April and took into account all relevant factors. Interest rates on store cards are unlikely to have a material influence on overall consumer spending.

Tax Credits (Delayed Payment)

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been reimbursed for bank charges incurred as a result of delayed payment of tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 23W.

Treasury Accommodation

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff will transfer to the HM Treasury building at 1 Horse Guards road, London from (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) HM Customs and Excise when construction work is completed; and what area in square feet will be occupied by staff transferring from (i) the Inland Revenue and (ii) HM Customs and Excise.

John Healey: Final decisions about numbers and space requirements will be taken once the outcome of the O'Donnell review of organisations dealing with tax policy and administration is known.

Venture Capital

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the venture capital industry of taxing carried interest through income taxing rather than capital gains tax.

Dawn Primarolo: There has been no change to the taxation of carried interest and therefore no assessment has been made of the impact of taxation of carried interest on the venture capital industry. The tax treatment of carried interest has not been changed by the introduction of Schedule 22 in Finance Act 2003.

Venture Capital

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the British Venture Capital Association in respect of taxation measures announced in the Budget; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: A meeting took place between the British Venture Capital Association (BVCA) and Inland Revenue officials on 9 June to discuss the impact of the new legislation in Schedule 22 Finance Act 2003 and this was followed by exchanges of correspondence. On 25 July, the Revenue published on their website two "Memoranda of Understanding" between the BVCA and the Inland Revenue clarifying, respectively, the Income Tax treatment of carried interests in Venture Capital Limited Partnerships and the Income Tax treatment of Managers' Equity Investments in Management Buyouts. They have also published on their web-site guidance on the income tax treatment of "Earn-outs" which are often a feature of venture capital arrangements.

Working Tax Credit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost was of the advertising of working tax credit; what (a) the installation and (b) the running costs of the helpline were; what evaluation is due to take place of the advertisement campaign; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: With regard to the total cost of advertising new tax credits (working tax credit and child tax credit) I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk) on 18 March 2003, Official Report, column 681W. The advertising campaign is being evaluated by tracking research and media audits carried out by independent external agencies managed by COI Communications on behalf of the Inland Revenue.
	As to the costs of setting up and running the helpline I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 25W.

EU Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury plays a leading role in the UK's EU policy on financial services and tax. Since 8 June 2001, the Treasury has led on the implementation of 13 directives:
	Directive 98/4/EC, amending Directive 98/38/EEC co-ordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and telecommunications sectors. Implemented by the Utilities Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/2418) effective 26 July 2001;
	Directive 2000/46/EC on the taking-up, pursuit of and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money institutions (implementation date: 27 April 2002);
	Directive 2000/28/EC, amending Directive 2000/12/EC relating to the taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions (implementation date: 27 April 2002);
	Directive 2001/44/EC, amending Directive 76/308/EEC on mutual assistance for the recovery of claims resulting from operations forming part of the system of financing the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, and of agricultural levies and customs duties and in respect of value added tax and certain excise duties (implementation date: 24 July 2002);
	Directive 2000/31/EC on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market ("Directive on electronic commerce") (implemented by the Treasury as regards matters within the scope of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: implementation date: 21 August 2002);
	Directive 2000/26/EC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles and amending Council Directives 73/239/EEC and 88/357/EEC (Fourth Motor Insurance Directive) (implementation date: 19 January 2003);
	Directive 2001/78/EC of 13 September 2001 amending Annex IV to Council Directive 93/36/EEC, Annexes IV, V and VI to Council Directive 93/37/EEC, Annexes III and IV to Council Directive 92/50/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/52/EC, and Annexes XII to XV, XVII and XVIII to Council Directive 93/38/EEC, as amended by Directive 98/4/EC (Directive on the use of standard forms in the publication of public contract notices) (implementation date: 4 February 2003);
	Directive 2002/38/EC and regulation 792/2002 regarding value added tax arrangements applicable to electronically supplied services and broadcasting;
	Directive 2002/10/EC concerning the structure and rates of excise duty applied on manufactured tobacco;
	Directive 2001/115/EC with a view to simplifying, modernising and harmonising the conditions laid down for VAT invoicing;
	Commission decision 2001/574, following directive 95/60/EC, establishing a common fiscal marker for gas oils and kerosene;
	Directive 2000/64/EC, amending various other Directives, with regard to the exchange of information with third countries. Implemented by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disclosure of Confidential Information)(Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/693) effective 3 April 2003;
	Directive 2001/17/EC on the reorganisation and winding up of insurance undertakings. Implemented (except as regards Lloyd's) by the Insurers (Reorganisation and Winding Up) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1102) effective 20 April 2003.
	I am not aware of any further directives being implemented since 8 June 2001, but the Department does not keep a single record of this information and it could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Food-related Activities

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  who will fund the initiative by the Food Standards Agency to set up inspection teams for food-related activities in schools;
	(2)  how many inspection teams are to be set up under the initiative by the Food Standards Agency for food-related activities in schools;
	(3)  what the terms of reference will be for the inspection teams that are set up under the initiative by the Food Standards Agency for food-related activities in schools;
	(4)  how many nutritionists will be on each inspection team set up under the initiative by the Food Standards Agency for food-related activities in schools;
	(5)  what food-related activities are to be inspected under the initiative by the Food Standards Agency to set up inspection teams for food-related activities in schools.

David Miliband: The Department for Education and Skills and the Food Standards Agency will jointly and equally fund an exercise that will aim to look at best practice in the whole school approach to food and nutrition.
	The exercise will involve five teams, each consisting of one OFSTED inspector and one nutritionist and will take place in a small illustrative sample of primary schools and early years' settings in England. The exercise will consider activities such as breakfast clubs, tuck shops, school lunches, vending machines, the taught curriculum, after-school cookery, or growing, clubs and water provision.
	In total three or four nutritionists will be commissioned for the initiative and will work in one or more of the five inspection teams. Each one will accompany an OFSTED inspector on each school visit.

School Meals

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the progress of the school meals research project.

David Miliband: The Department for Education and Skills, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency, have commissioned research by Kings College London to assess whether food provided for school lunches in a selection of maintained secondary schools in England complies with statutory nutritional standards and associated guidance. The research, due to commence during the autumn school term 2003, will also aim to assess whether the food consumed by the children meets nutritional guidelines and to gather other relevant background information.

School Meals

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals he has to encourage the provision of free school meals; and what the average cost to pupils was of school meals in the last 12 months.

David Miliband: The Education Act 1996 places a duty on all local education authorities in England to provide, on request, free school meals to eligible pupils. A similar duty is transferred to the governing body of all maintained schools in England that have a budgetary element for school meals delegated to them. Children whose parents receive the following support payments are entitled to receive free school meals: income support; income based jobseekers allowance; support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; child tax credit, provided they do not receive working tax credit and have an annual income, as assessed by the Inland Revenue, that does not exceed £13,230.
	This Department does not collect information on the cost of meals provided by schools.

School Meals

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what quality controls are placed upon school meals; and what assessment has been made of the potential benefits to child health of healthy school meal provision.

David Miliband: Regulations introduced in April 2001, set minimum nutritional standards for school lunches in maintained schools in England. The standards are based on the four main food groups pictorially represented in the Government's 'Balance of Good Health' diagram, which suggests the types and proportions of foods that make up a balanced diet. Food from the four groups: fruit and vegetables; meat, fish and non-dairy sources of proteins; starchy food; and milk and dairy, are required to be available in schools at lunchtime and allow pupils to choose healthy and enjoyable school lunches. It is the responsibility of local education authorities or, where a budgetary element for school meals is delegated to them, a school's governing body to ensure that the standards are met. School governing bodies and LEAs (as the employer) have a general responsibility for protecting the health and safety of staff and pupils. This responsibility would extend to the quality of school meals.
	The Department for Education and Skills has not undertaken any specific assessment of the potential savings in child health in relation to healthy school meal provision.

Teenage Pregnancies

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teenage pregnancies there were in (a) West Sussex and (b) England in (i) 2001–01, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 8 September 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many teenage pregnancies there were in (a) West Sussex and (b) England in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03.
	The numbers of teenage pregnancies in England and Wales are compiled routinely by calendar years. The latest year for which figures are available is 2001. For this purpose, a teenage pregnancy is defined as a conception to a girl aged under 18. This includes pregnancies resulting in live births, still births and abortions, but not miscarriages prior to 24 weeks gestation.
	The information available is shown in the table below.
	
		Conceptions to girls aged under 18 in West Sussex and England, 2000–01
		
			  2000 2001(12) 
		
		
			 West Sussex 411 407 
			 England 8,700 8,439 
		
	
	(12) Figures for 2001 are provisional

Youth Clubs

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding is afforded to increasing youth club facilities and other projects aimed at getting children off the streets; and if he will make a statement on his policy on providing places for younger teenagers to go to socialise in the evenings.

Alan Johnson: Local authority youth services receive funding through the Education Formula Spending (EFS). This fund has a value of £513 million in 2003–04 and is an increase of 5.9 per cent. over 2002–03 budgets. In addition to EFS funds, the Government has made £10 million available to local authority youth services in each of the three years 2003–06 through the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund (TYWDF). With this resource, we want to see Local Authorities making good quality youth work provision available to all young people in the 13–19 age range. Many schools and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) offer learning activities after school as part of their study support provision. Funding for study support of £75 million is available this year through Standards Fund grant 206. National Voluntary Youth Organisations (NVYOs) receive funding to promote personal and social education. The NVYO Grant Scheme is a three year cycle of funding. There are 88 NVYOs running 98 projects which receive grants in the current cycle (2002–05) within a total budget of £18 million (£6 million a year). The grants cover up to 50 per cent. of the cost of the projects.
	Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) aims to provide developmental and diversionary activities for 8–19 year olds from 2003 to 2006. It is supported by Departments and Agencies across Government providing funding allocations into a single pot. The total funding available for 2003–04 is £25 million. Funding for years two and three will be confirmed within the next two months.

"Teacher Employment"

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will publish the results of his Department's surveys of local education authorities entitled "Teacher Employment", conducted in May.

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on recent redundancies of teachers in north-east Lincolnshire; and how many of these redundancies were attributed to insufficient school funds.

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his latest estimate is of the number of teacher redundancy notices that have been issued in 2003, broken down by local education authority; and if he will make a statement.

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his latest estimate is of the number of teacher redundancy notices that have been issued in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire in 2003.

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what redundancies of (a) teaching and (b) non-teaching staff have resulted from the funding of schools in this financial year.

David Miliband: Provisional statistics on teacher and support staff numbers and teacher vacancies at January 2003 were published in April in "Statistical First Release 10/2003". Statistics due to be released on 9 September will provide regional and LEA level breakdowns of these figures; provisional national figures for January 2004 are due to be published next April. In May this year, in response to concerns about the difficulties some schools are facing as a result of changes to the funding arrangements, my Department liaised with local education authorities (LEAs) to make a broad assessment of the extent to which schools were making changes in their teaching staff complements. This included whether teachers were being made compulsorily redundant, and the possible reasons for changes in staffing, including falling rolls. LEAs' assessments were based on the best information available to them at that time; many told us that definitive information was not available and that the situation was changing rapidly as schools finalised their budgets and their staffing. In addition they advised that a significant number of the redundancy notices were "protective" and were likely to be withdrawn as the situation within schools and the LEA became clearer. My Department will continue to work closely with our national partners, including representatives of teachers, and have regular contact with LEAs.

Administration and Buildings Funding

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how much funding has been allocated for (a) administration and (b) buildings for (i) University for Industry, (ii) the learning and skills councils and (iii) the Connexions service, broken down by (A) centrally and (B) locally allocated funds;
	(2)  how much has been spent on (a) marketing and (b) advertising for (i) University for Industry, (ii) the learning and skills councils and (iii) the Connexions service, broken down by (A) centrally and (B) locally spent funds;
	(3)  how much funding has been allocated for spending on consultants for (a) University for Industry, (b) the learning and skills councils and (c) the Connexions service, broken down by centrally and locally allocated funds.

Charles Clarke: My Department makes available an annual grant which funds UFI's infrastructure and operating costs such as product development. In 2003–04 UFI has set aside £23.636 million to cover administration costs and £1.818 million to cover buildings costs. UFI does not allocate separate local funds for either administration or buildings.
	In 2002–03 UFI central expenditure on marketing and advertising was:
	(a) £10.126 million for marketing
	(b) £8.652 million for advertising.
	Much of the marketing developed centrally is also used locally by learndirect centres and hubs. Marketing and advertising at local level does however remain the responsibility of learndirect hubs and centres, many of which are private organisations who set their budgets accordingly. No central information is held on this local expenditure.
	In 2003–04 UFI have allocated £1.867 million for spend on consultants centrally. UFI uses consultants to support the development of the national learndirect network and does not allocate consultancy budgets at local level.
	The Learning and Skills Council (LSC)'s administration budget for 2003–04 is £218 million. This includes provision for expenditure on buildings. No specific amount for such provision is, however, earmarked. How the LSC allocates the £218 million funding for use centrally and locally, the amounts spent on marketing and advertising, and funding allocated for spending on consultants are matters for the Learning and Skills Council. I have therefore asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.
	For 2003–04 my Department has allocated £6.098 million for the salaries and associated administrative costs of staff comprising the Connexions Service National Unit. In addition, £2.625 million has been allocated to the Government Offices for the salary and associated administration costs of their staff managing Connexions.
	It is not possible to disaggregate the building costs associated with Connexions Service National Unit staff from the costs of other departmental staff using the same head office building, nor those costs associated with Government Office staff working on Connexions from those associated with other Government Office staff.
	When allocating funding locally to Connexions Partnerships no part is ring fenced specifically to meet administration and buildings costs. Partnerships have flexibility to use their funding in a way which best meets local needs.
	In 2002–03 central expenditure on marketing and advertising was:
	(a) £1.815 million for marketing
	(b) £1.451 million for advertising
	Locally, Connexions Partnerships are able to use their funding flexibility to address their own particular circumstances. Data is collected centrally on the broad areas of Partnerships' expenditure but not at a level detailed enough to enable identification of how much has been spent on marketing and advertising.
	No funding is allocated specifically for spending on consultants either nationally or regionally. However budget holders may decide to engage consultants where it is judged to be the most cost-effective method of achieving objectives. When allocating funding locally to Connexions Partnerships no part is ring fenced for consultants. Partnerships have flexibility to use their funding in a way which best meets local needs.

Adult Learning Grants

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the operation of the adult learning grant pilots.

Alan Johnson: Announced as part of the Government's Skills Strategy (CM 5810), the new Adult Learning Grant will offer an allowance of up to £30 per week to adults on low incomes studying full-time for a first full level 2 qualification (equivalent to 5 GCSEs or a National Vocational Qualification at level 2) and young adults on low incomes studying full-time for a first full level 3 qualification (equivalent to two A levels or a National Vocational Qualification at level 3). Piloting of the grant starts this month in further education providers in the following local Learning and Skills Council areas:
	Bedfordshire and Luton
	County Durham
	Devon and Cornwall
	Humberside
	Lancashire
	Leicestershire
	London West
	Shropshire
	South Yorkshire
	The Black Country.
	We will evaluate the impact of the pilot programme to establish, in the light of the conclusions of the next spending review, the best operational design with the intention of implementing a national roll out of adult learning grants.

Baccalaureate

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the average extra cost faced by a school intending to offer the International Baccalaureate examination system.

Alan Johnson: The International Baccalaureate is already approved under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and schools are free to offer the qualification if they wish. We have made no estimate of the additional costs to a school offering this qualification. The funding arrangements for post-16 learning, including school sixth forms, are the operational responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council. I have asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Member about the funding they provide to institutions that offer the International Baccalaureate and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Baccalaureate

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many schools in England offer the International Baccalaureate to the students;
	(2)  how many pupils took the International Baccalaureate in England in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: The information on International Baccalaureates in England is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of institutions 
			 Academic year Schools FE Colleges Number of pupils 
		
		
			 1996/97 12 7 504 
			 1997/98 16 7 521 
			 1998/99 16 7 618 
			 1999/2000 15 6 553 
			 2000/01 15 6 655 
			 2001/02 21 6 854

Broadband Access (Schools)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures will be taken to provide broadband access to schools in areas where there is no broadband provision.

David Miliband: Broadband is currently being rolled out through 10 Regional Broadband Consortia (RBCs). Each RBC is developing appropriate connectivity solutions for their area to ensure the Prime Minister's target of having all schools connected to broadband by 2006 is achieved.
	Where cabling infrastructure is not available, RBCs are successfully deploying a range of other technologies to ensure schools have access to reliable, high bandwidth connectivity. In a number of rural areas for example, wireless technologies such as Satellite and radio are being used effectively to connect schools.
	The DfES is also supporting the Government's Broadband Aggregation Project announced in July. From next April, nine Regional Aggregation Bodies will aggregate demand and procure broadband across the public sector. This will ensure best value and stimulate supply in areas where very little broadband is currently available.

Capital Spending (Leicestershire)

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list capital spending on Leicestershire schools in each year since 1997–98.

David Miliband: We do not collect detailed information on capital spend on school buildings. The table as follows sets out the capital allocations made by this government to Leicestershire Local Education Authority (LEA) and its schools since 1997–98. The LEA determines investment of these funds by prioritising the capital requirements of its schools through the asset management planning process. The authority may have augmented the government's funding from other sources.
	Leicestershire LEA capital allocations
	
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 1997–98 2,920 
			 1998–99 5,505 
			 1999–2000 8,332 
			 2000–01 18,942 
			 2001–02 12,843 
			 2002–03 20,731 
			 2003–04 27,582

Children at Risk

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Green Paper on Children at Risk will be published.

Charles Clarke: The Green Paper "Every Child Matters" is being published today.

Children's Day Care Facilities

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many places have been provided in school holiday schemes in each of the past five years;
	(2)  how many places in after-school clubs have been provided in each of the past five years;
	(3)  how many day nurseries have operated in each of the past five years;
	(4)  how many places there were in day nurseries in each of the past five years;
	(5)  how many registered childminders there were on 1 January in each of the past five years;
	(6)  how many playgroups were operating in each of the past five years; and how many places were provided in playgroups in each year.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Numbers of day care providers(13) by type of provider, England, 1999–2003
		
			 Position at 31 Marcheach year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Day nurseries(14) 7,000 7,500 7,800 n/a n/a 
			 Full day care(15) n/a n/a n/a n/a 9,600 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools(14) 15,000 14,300 14,000 n/a n/a 
			 Sessional day care(15) n/a n/a n/a n/a 11,600 
			 Childminders 82,200 75,600 72,300 n/a 68,200 
			 Out-of-school clubs(14) 3,800 4,400 4,900 n/a n/a 
			 Holiday schemes(14) 10,200 (16)11,700 12,900 n/a n/a 
			 Out-of-school day care(15) n/a n/a n/a n/a 8,000 
			 Creche day care(15) n/a n/a n/a n/a 1,900 
		
	
	n/a = not available.
	(13) Figures have been rounded.
	(14) Data Source: Children's Day Care Facilities.
	(15) Data Source: Ofsted.
	(16) Includes those schemes exempt from registration.
	
		Numbers of day care places(17) by type of provider, England, 1999–2003
		
			 Position at 31 Marcheach year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Day nurseries(18) 247,700 264,200 285,100 n/a n/a 
			 Full day care(19) n/a n/a n/a n/a 383,200 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools(18) 347,200 353,100 330,200 n/a n/a 
			 Sessional day care(19) n/a n/a n/a n/a 285,600 
			 Childminders 336,600 320,400 304,600 n/a 300,600 
			 Out-of-school clubs(18) 113,800 141,100 152,800 n/a n/a 
			 Holiday schemes(18) 435,300 (20)490,400 550,400 n/a n/a 
			 Out-of-school day care(19) n/a n/a n/a n/a 301,600 
			 Creche day care(19) n/a n/a n/a n/a 43,900 
		
	
	n/a = not available.
	(17) Figures have been rounded.
	(18) Data Source: Children's Day Care Facilities.
	(19) Data Source: Ofsted.
	(20) Includes those schemes exempt from registration.
	Local authorities were responsible for the registration and inspection of children's day care facilities until these responsibilities were transferred to Ofsted in September 2001. The figures on children's day care facilities up to and including 2001 were derived from local authority estimates returned to DfES by local authority social service departments.
	The period from September 2001 to March 2003 was designated as a transitional period where Ofsted, as a by-product of its inspections, validated the actual number of individuals and organisations that were providing child care. At the end of the transitional period, Ofsted conducted appropriate quality checks on its administrative database and released the number of provider and places in June, with further publications planned on a quarterly basis. The number of child care providers and places are not directly comparable with the previous data made available by the DfES because they were collected differently.
	With the introduction of the National Day Care Standards the day care facilities classification has been updated. Day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools and childminders have been equivalently reclassified to full day care, sessional day care and childminders respectively.
	Day care figures for 2001 and earlier years for England and Government Office regions were published in DfES Statistical Bulletin 08/01, "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March 2001", which is available in the Library and on the DfES website: www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics Figures for 2001 for out-of-school clubs and holiday schemes have recently been revised. Latest child care statistics were published in a report by Ofsted, "Registered Childcare Providers and Places in England, 31 March 2003", which is available on the Ofsted website: www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications

City Academies

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many city academies had been set up by 1 July, and how many he anticipates being set up by September 2005.

David Miliband: Three Academies opened in September 2002 and there are a further nine opening in September 2003. We anticipate that by September 2005 there will be 27 open Academies.

City Academies

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils he expects to have been enrolled at city academies by the end of the academic year 2003–04.

David Miliband: By the end of the 2003–04 academic year there will be 12 Academies open. These will cater for an estimated total of 10,710 pupils. This figure breaks down to 9,773 pupils who are under 16 and 937 pupils over 16. These figures include The City of London Academy which, being a totally new school, will have an initial entry of only 180 pupils.

City Academies

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average cost of setting up a city academy is to (a) public sector and (b) private sector investors.

David Miliband: Of the 12 Academies currently open or opening this September the mean average expenditure across the projects is £23.10 million; £21.31 million from the public sector and £1.79 million from private sector investors.
	Recurrent costs cover establishing the initial feasibility of a project and, once a Funding Agreement has been signed, the implementation of proposals to open an Academy During the feasibility phase, grant of up to £250,000 is available; during the implementation phase, grant of up to £650,000 is available. These costs are met by the public sector.

Classroom Assistants

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of the new Formula Spending Share system on classroom assistant numbers in the South East; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: In January 2003 there were more than 225,000 full-time equivalent support staff in schools in England including 122,000 teaching assistants, compared to 217,000 (including 106,000 teaching assistants) in January 2002. Statistics due to be released on 9 September will provide regional and LEA level breakdowns of these figures. It is for individual schools to decide on staffing levels in the light of their needs and priorities and the overall resources available to them. It is estimated that funding being made available to schools should enable them to recruit at least 50,000 additional full-time equivalent support staff over the lifetime of the current Parliament.

Classroom Teachers

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of (a) how many and (b) what percentage of teachers on the General Teaching Council register are employed as classroom teachers.

David Miliband: The Secretary of State has made no such estimate. The management of the register is a matter for the General Teaching Council and I have asked the council's registrar to write to the hon. Gentleman with information about teacher entries. A copy of his response will be placed in the Library.

Connexions

Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the purpose of Connexions, with particular reference to the range of options for post 16.

Margaret Hodge: Connexions is the Government's front line support service in England for all 13–19 year olds and those up to 25 who have learning difficulties and disabilities. It is a universal service that is differentiated according to the needs of young people. Its key purpose is to encourage more young people to continue and succeed in learning.
	Connexions provides a range of advice and support to help young people make the transition from compulsory education to post 16 learning, Higher Education and employment. Depending on the individual young person's needs this could include impartial careers guidance, information and advice on health, lifestyle, housing, financial support and other personal issues and access to personal development opportunities.

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he provides to the Connexions service on the provision of advice to young lesbians and gay men facing homophobic abuse.

Margaret Hodge: We intend to issue guidance to Connexions personal advisers (PAs) on how to engage effectively with young lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the autumn.
	The guidance will aim to raise awareness among Connexions PAs of the issues facing young LGB people. It will cover issues such as confidentiality, child protection, supporting a young person 'coming out', referring a young person to specialist agencies, multiple disadvantage and individual and organisational strategies to combat homophobia.

Creative Education

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of creative education partnerships.

Estelle Morris: I have been asked to reply.
	In its first year of operation, our Creative Partnerships programme has involved 412 schools, 70,835 pupils and over 2,600 teachers, through nearly 900 projects. Arts Council England is currently conducting a national review of the first year of Creative Partnerships and this will inform the expansion of the programme from 2004. In addition, the National Foundation for Education Research is conducting a major evaluation of the impact of the programme and will report in spring 2005.

Deficit Budgets

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have set deficit budgets for the academic year 2003–04.

David Miliband: This information is not collected centrally.

Departmental Costs

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was to his Department for (a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aeroplanes in each year since 1997.

Stephen Twigg: The cost within my Department for each of the travel categories since 1997 is as follows:
	(a) Ministerial cars—I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by the Cabinet Office,
	(b) Taxis—this information is not held centrally and can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost,
	(c) Train travel—the information provided can only be given from August 1998, as no central data was held prior to this date.
	
		
			 Year Cost on rail travel (£) 
		
		
			 1998–99 3,055,026 
			 1999–2000 5,882,502 
			 2000–01 6,140,805 
			 2001–02 8,071,544 
			 2002–03 6,749,194 
		
	
	The annual cost for each year includes NDPB spend as it has not been possible to identify DfES spend separately. The former Employment Service left the contract on 31 March 2002 and they accounted for approx 30 per cent. of the spend.
	(d) Helicopters—no costs incurred.
	(e) Airline—the information provided can be given only from August 1998, as no central data was held prior to this date:
	
		
			 Year Cost on air travel (£) 
		
		
			 1998–99 835,981 
			 1999–2000 1,265,621 
			 2000–01 2,013,043 
			 2001–02 1,720,275 
			 2002–03 1,056,124 
		
	
	The annual cost for each year includes NDPB spend as it has not been possible to identify DfES spend separately. The former Employment Service left the contract on 31 March 2002 and they accounted for approx 30 per cent. of the spend.
	(f) Chartered planes—I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by the Cabinet Office.
	Departmental staff have a responsibility to give due consideration to cost when planning any official travel and extensive guidance is provided on how to get the best out of official travel. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Flexibility

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of his Department's end year flexibility for (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06.

Charles Clarke: Planned spending for the next three years, including the planned use of previously uncommitted End Year Flexibility, is set out in my Departmental Annual Report published on 14 May (Command Number 5902). In addition I have recently agreed that some programmes can carry forward resources into 2003–04 where expenditure is occurring later than originally planned. This includes over £100 million of programmes funded through the Learning and Skills Council and, as I set out to the House on 17 July 2003, Official Report, column 456, I am drawing on additional funding available from end year flexibility and other redirection of existing resources to finance the reversal of the previously announced reduction of standards fund support to schools in 2004–05 and 2005–06.
	The details of this commitment will be announced in due course.

Departmental Framework Contracts

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answers of 22 May 2003, Official Report, column 1001W, and 12 June 2003, Official Report, column 1023W, for each departmental framework contract, what the total expenditure is on paid publicity services, categorised according to media, including design and print, for each of the last five years for which he has figures available.

David Miliband: The Department's Marketing and Publicity Specialist Buying Unit initiate and manage 140 framework agreements with a range of suppliers covering several media areas. The following figures show expenditure by framework media area placed by Marketing and Publicity Division. (It should be noted that from 2002–03, an increasing proportion of such work is handled outside of Marketing and Publicity Division through a system of devolving non priority work to individual policy teams.)
	
		£ million
		
			  Print Binders and Plastics Design Writers Video/Audio Visual 
		
		
			 2000–01 10.5 1.6 3.3 251,000 1.1 
			 2001–02 12.6 2.7 2.7 389,000 955,000 
			 2002–03 5.7 1 1.3 521,000 864,000 
		
	
	
		£ million
		
			  Typesetting and Translation Photography Conferences Exhibitions PR 
		
		
			 2000–01 225,000 124,000 5.8 1.4 318,000 
			 2001–02 315,000 103,000 4.7 926,000 1.5 
			 2002–03 63,000 109,000 1.6 536,000 2 
		
	
	Note:
	The PR costs for 2000–2001 differ from previous PQ responses as the figures above do not include PR expenditure via CO1 but expenditure through framework agreements only.

Early Years Education

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of three-year-olds have access to early years education in (a) Somerset, (b) Devon, (c) Wiltshire, (d) Cornwall, (e) Dorset, (f) North Somerset, (g) Bath and North East Somerset and (h) Bristol.

David Miliband: The information is not available in the form requested.
	The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Number of free early years education places(21) taken up by three-year-olds, January 2002
		
			 Local education authority area Number of free early years education places taken up by three-year-olds 
		
		
			 Somerset 2,400 
			 Devon 2,800 
			 Wiltshire 2,000 
			 Cornwall 3,400 
			 Dorset 1,300 
			 North Somerset 1,100 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 730 
			 Bristol, City of 3,800 
		
	
	(21) A free early education place is defined as a part-time place at a maintained nursery school or primary school or a part-time equivalent place, i.e. five sessions (half days) a week, at a provider other than a maintained nursery or primary school.
	We have made the commitment that by April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all three-year-olds whose parents want one, will have access to a free, part-time early education place.
	The latest figures on early years provision in England were published by the Department in the Statistical First Release 15/2003, "Provision For Children Under Five Years Of Age In England—January 2003 (Provisional)", copies of which are available from the Library and the Department's website: www. dfes.gov.uk/statistics

EU Committees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Socrates committee, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House.

Alan Johnson: Meetings of the Socrates committee are attended by delegates drawn from the 30 participating states of the 15 European Union countries, the European Economic Area countries of Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, the 10 acceding countries, Romania and Bulgaria. Usually two officials of the Department for Education and Skills attend the committee.
	The Socrates committee met five times on 17–18 January 2002, 14 June 2002, 7–8 November 2002, 16–17 January 2003 and 12–13 June 2003. In addition, there was an informal meeting of the committee in May 2002 to discuss evaluation of the Socrates programme.
	The role of the Socrates committee is to oversee the powers delegated to the European Commission by the Council of Ministers to implement the Socrates programme. The committee's business is largely concerned with the technical details of the programme operation, such as project selection for programme support, publicity, information and budget allocation. In common with other Comitology committees its decisions are not routinely deposited for scrutiny under established scrutiny procedures, unless they are politically significant.
	Together with member states, the Commission has been conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of Comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". The working group on the Friends of Comitology is meeting later this month to discuss proposals for interim reform.
	As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of the committee. The second report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 10 January 2003 ref 5060/03, COM(03)733.
	As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every Comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Examination Awards

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions his staff have had with the examination awarding bodies since December 2002; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Discussions between DfES officials and the examination awarding bodies are held in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the DfES and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
	DfES officials formally meet the chief executives from three unitary awarding bodies, AQA, Edexcel and OCR twice a year. Since December 2002, one meeting has taken place on 1 April and another is scheduled for November. The majority of DfES's contacts with the awarding bodies occur at meetings organised by the QCA.

Family Centre Places

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many family centre places have been provided by local authorities.

Stephen Twigg: This information is not available in the form requested. However, in 2001–02, (the latest date for which data are available), gross expenditure by councils in England on family centres was £139.4 million.

Formula Spending Share

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the transfers into and out of formula spending share for 2004–05, and grants which are due to cease at the end of 2003–04; and whether his Department plans consequently to adjust the baseline calculation for floors and ceilings.

David Miliband: The Secretary of State's statement of 17 July on school funding indicated that the standards fund would be maintained at its 2003–04 levels.
	Details of any transfers into or out of formula spending will be announced later in the year, as will details on the baseline for floors and ceilings. However, we will ensure that every school and LEA has a reasonable year-on-year increase in its overall per pupil funding.

Free School Milk

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he is taking to encourage local authorities to introduce free school milk for children aged seven years.

David Miliband: This Department supports the provision of free and paid for milk in maintained schools and encourages schools and local education authorities to offer it to pupils. Guidance produced to assist schools to implement regulations, which set nutritional standards for school lunches includes a strong recommendation from the Secretary of State that drinking milk is available to all pupils as an option every day. Following a 20 per cent. reduction in the EU subsidy on school milk from January 2001, this Department agreed jointly with the Department of Health and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to top up the annual £1.5 million shortfall. This assistance helps prevent possible increased costs of providing school milk.

Free School Transport

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the maximum age is at which local education authorities must provide free transport to pupils who attend their nearest school if the distance between home and school is beyond the statutory walking distance.

David Miliband: Statutory home to school transport provisions apply to pupils of compulsory school age. A pupil usually ceases to be of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the school year in which he or she reaches 16.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost was of bids submitted by further education colleges for growth in 2003–04 in respect of (a) 16–19 and (b) adult provision; what proportion of the bids in each category have been met by the Learning and Skills Council; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: There has been very considerable growth in allocations to further education colleges. In the 2003–04 academic year, a total of £2,072 million was allocated for 16–18 year olds, £1,828 million for adult learning (including adult basic skills) and £321 million for Additional Learning Support. This represents increases of £284 million (16 per cent.), £181 million (11 per cent.), and £37 million (13 per cent.) respectively above the comparable allocations for 2002–03.
	Plans for growth are agreed between the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and individual colleges as part of discussions on forward plans. Individual college proposals are supported by local LSCs where they fit with the Local Strategic Plan, which outlines the learning and skills needs in the local area. In 2003–04, all such proposals for growth in respect of participation by 16–18 year olds and basic skills provision for adults were met in full. In addition to the extra funding provided for Adult Learning, proposals totalling a further £30 million were unable to be met within available resources.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made by his Department of the impact of the performance related funding system set out in Success for All on equality of opportunity for learners; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The measures set out in Success for All will reward those colleges which meet their targets for student success and provide clear incentives for colleges to improve their performance in this respect. Floor targets have set clear expectations about minimum acceptable performance levels and these will drive up performance in colleges and providers whose learners currently have the lowest chance of securing the qualifications for which they are aiming. Through their agreed three year development plans, colleges and providers will set out their plans for improving student services and teaching standards. These approaches will benefit all learners, helping ensure more learners receive a high quality learning experience. In particular, they will benefit learners enrolled with colleges and providers whose performance is least good and this will enhance equality of opportunity for learners.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the funding totals shown for further education in the Departmental Annual Report 2003 is assumed to be for (a) participation, (b) investment, (c) local intervention and development funding and (d) other funding for the years (i) 2003–04, (ii) 2004–05 and (iii) 2005–06; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The information requested is set out in the table.
	
		£ million
		
			  2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Participation 4,278 4,625 4,988 
			 Investment 266 316 343 
			 Local intervention and development funding 132 177 191 
			 Other 56 56 56 
			 Total 4,732 5,173 5,579 
		
	
	These figures are rounded to the nearest £ million and are consistent with those published in the Departmental Annual Report 2003. We plan a 19 per cent. real terms increase in total funding in 2005–06 compared to 2002–03, which demonstrates this Government's commitment to further education.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what level of funding has been allowed in his Department's expenditure plans to compensate further education colleges for the transfer of responsibility for increases in the employer contributions to the teachers pension scheme in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The Department has made available funding of £80 million in 2003–04 to compensate publicly funded further education colleges for changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme. In 2004–05 the funds available will rise to £84 million and in 2005–06 to £87 million.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated cost is to further education colleges of the increases in employer national insurance contributions introduced in April 2003 for (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The additional cost in employers' national insurance contributions in 2003–04 for all further education institutions in England is estimated to be £25 million. Further education institutions receive funding for staff costs from a variety of sources, both public and private, so the element of the increase to be covered from public sources will be only a proportion of this. In 2003–04 assumed total funding for further education allocated to the Learning and Skills Council will increase by 6 per cent. in real terms compared with 2002–03. This places further education colleges in a good position to meet cost increases and invest in improving services for learners and employers.
	The likely cost of the increase in national insurance contributions in future years depends on a number of variables including the number of staff employed and the level of their pay. These are matters for colleges to determine within the resources that are available to them. Given this, the Department does not provide estimates of such costs for future years.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the level is of projected enrolments in terms of full time equivalents based on the funding assumed for participation in further education in the Departmental Report 2003 for (a) 16 to 19-year-olds and (b) adults in (i) 2002–03, (ii) 2003–04, (iii) 2004–05 and (iv) 2005–06; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: Funding for participation in further education, as set out in the Departmental Report 2003, is based on the following assumptions of funded enrolments in terms of full-time equivalents (FTEs):
	
		Assumed FTEs 2002–03 to 2005–06 -- Thousand
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 16–18 year olds 509 534 566 596 
			 19+ year olds 571 582 594 604 
		
	
	These are assumptions, not targets, that are subject to revision. The key assumption is that a rising proportion of the cohort of 16–18 year olds, which is itself increasing in size because of demographic changes, will choose to enrol in FE sector colleges.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the planned total funding is per full-time equivalent student in further education for adults in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04, (c) 2004–05 and (d) 2005–06 in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms at April 2003 prices, on the basis of GDP deflator projections (A) with and (B) without the additional funding made available to compensate colleges for increases in employer contributions to the teachers pension scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: Unit of funding figures are not available separately for adults.
	The total unit of funding in further education in cash and real terms in 2002–03 prices are set out as follows:
	
		£
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Cash terms 
			 Including money for teachers' pension scheme 4,020 4,310 4,530 4,720 
			 Excluding money for teachers' pension scheme 4,020 4,240 4,460 4,650 
			  
			 Real terms (2002–03 prices)
			 Including money for teachers' pension scheme 4,020 4,200 4,300 4,370 
			 Excluding money for teachers' pension scheme 4,020 4,130 4,230 4,310 
		
	
	Source:
	DfES estimates and projections.
	The figures shown above for 2003–04 to 2005–06 are consistent with the Spending Review 2002 settlement for Further Education announced in November 2002 which was the most substantial increase in FE funding since college incorporation in 1993. They will deliver higher standards and reform of the local pattern of provision and therefore better meet the needs of learners and employers.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was allocated for (a) the Teaching Pay Initiative for further education colleges and (b) the staff development component of the Standards Fund for colleges in 2002–03; how much colleges will receive in 2003–04 from the 2 per cent. enhancement of funding rates allocated for the transfer under Success for All; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: In 2002–03 Further Education colleges were allocated £142 million pounds for the Teaching Pay Initiative, and £53 million for the staff development component of the Standards Fund. These funds were consolidated into participation funding for the academic year 2003–04 and the funding rate was increased by 3.5 per cent. to reflect this. Colleges will receive £138 million from the 3.5% increase. A further £50 million will be allocated to some colleges to meet the costs of implementing increased funding for colleges with high area costs and disadvantage factors, and to fund additional participation through pilots such as those in adult skills and partnerships for progression in 2003–4.
	As well as consolidation of these funds, further education colleges will also receive an increase of £63 million or 2 per cent. in their core unit of funding per full time equivalent learner in return for agreeing a three year development plan. The real terms increase in the participation unit of funding, together with the consolidation of previously targeted funds and three year funding agreement, are what colleges were calling for. They give colleges more control over the funds allocated to them and a longer term planning horizon.

Further Education Colleges (Finance)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what average increase expressed in real terms he estimates further education colleges will receive in 2003–04 for (a) growth in participation and (b) other funding increases (i) in total funding and (ii) after discounting actual Teacher Pay Initiative and staff development allocations for 2002–03, the additional costs of employers contributions to the Teachers Pension Scheme from April 2003 and the additional costs arising from the increase in employers national insurance contributions from April 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The real terms increase in assumed total funding for further education allocated to the Learning and Skills Council for 2003–04 is 6 per cent. compared with 2002–03. This increase excludes the additional funding of £80 million made available to compensate colleges for an increase in the employer contribution rate arising from technical changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme. It includes funding for additional student numbers.
	We estimate that funding available for participation will increase by around 7 per cent. in real terms. This includes funding for additional student numbers. We estimate that funding available for non-participation budgets for purposes such as investment to raise standards and improve the capital infrastructure will increase by 3 per cent. in real terms. These figures exclude the impact of the transfer in 2003–04 of funding in respect of the Teaching Pay Initiative and staff development from the non-participation baseline into the participation baseline.
	We estimate that the costs of the increase in employers' national insurance contributions and of the additional increase in employers' contributions to the Teachers Pension Scheme as a result of the latest actuarial revaluation, represents around 0.7 per cent. of the value of total funding, or around 0.8 per cent. of the value of funding for participation.
	The real terms increases in funding for colleges in 2003–04 place them in a good position to meet cost increases and invest in improving services for learners and employers.

Gifted Children

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provisions are made to cater for particularly gifted children from state schools; and if he will make a statement on his policy on gifted children being able to fulfil their potential.

David Miliband: The Government are making support for gifted and talented pupils integral to its core strategies to improve teaching and learning. Its gifted and talented education programme in England includes: a dedicated strand of Excellence in Cities, supporting intensive provision in disadvantaged areas; a range of national activity, featuring the Academy for Gifted Youth; and a new dimension provided through the Gifted and Talented Arm of London Challenge. The Government believes that all children, including the most able, deserve an education that meets their needs and provides them with the challenge to fulfil their potential.

Jean Monnet Chairs

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Jean Monnet chairs are based in UK universities; what the value of the grant funding of these posts is; what the salaries of (a) these chairs and (b) professorships nationally agreed rates are; and how many Jean Monnet chairs there are per capita in each EU member state.

David Miliband: Between 1990 and 2002, 107 Jean Monnet Chairs in UK universities were approved. Chairs are co-financed, with the European Commission providing up to 80 per cent. of the eligible costs and remaining costs paid for by the host universities. Up to 1999, the maximum level of European Commission financing for a Jean Monnet Chair was euro 60,000 for a 3-year period. Between 2000–02 it was euro 30,000.
	Salaries of Jean Monnet Chairs vary between universities. As of 1 August 2002, the Professorial minimum in pre-1992 higher education institutions is £40,841. For institutions which gained university status in 1992, there is no set minimum or maximum salary level.
	The following table shows the number of Jean Monnet Chairs in each EU member state between 1990 and 2002 together with the chairs per capita, based on population figures for 2002.
	
		
			 Countries Jean Monnet chairs Chairs per capita 
		
		
			 Austria 10 0.0000005 
			 Belgium 11 0.000001 
			 Denmark 15 0.0000027 
			 Finland 7 0.0000013 
			 France 68 0.0000011 
			 Germany 60 0.0000007 
			 Greece 28 0.0000026 
			 Ireland 19 0.0000048 
			 Italy 50 0.0000008 
			 Netherlands 25 0.0000015 
			 Portugal 16 0.0000015 
			 Spain 70 0.0000017 
			 Sweden 8 0.0000009 
			 United Kingdom 107 0.0000017 
			 Total 494 —

Mathematics Teaching

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to improve the teaching of mathematics.

Charles Clarke: We have achieved the best ever primary school test results in mathematics. In the 2003 Key Stage 2 tests 73 per cent. of 11 year olds achieved the expected level in mathematics, a 14 percentage point increase since 1998. The National Primary Strategy will continue to help teachers improve the learning and teaching of mathematics, focusing on aspects that pupils find most difficult.
	The KS3 results are also at their best ever this year, with mathematics up from 2002 by three percentage points, with 70 per cent. achieving the expected level. Through the continuing success of the Key Stage 3 National Strategy, where improving the teaching of mathematics remains a key priority, we expect standards to continue to rise.
	The independent Post-14 Maths Inquiry is due to publish its final report at the end of September and is expected to make recommendations on the pedagogy, curriculum and qualifications for those aged 14 and over and to propose options for a new National Centre of Excellence for Mathematics Teaching.

National Foundation for Educational Research

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding the Department provided to the National Foundation for Educational Research in each year since 1990; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the Foundation's document, Sounds before letters: final evaluation of POPAT.

Alan Johnson: Information on funding provided to the national Foundation for Educational Research is only available from 1995. The cost of providing information prior to this date would be disproportionate. The funding provided by the Department each year from April 1995 is as follows.
	
		£
		
			  Funding provided by the Department 
		
		
			 1995 312,808 
			 1996 307,100 
			 1997 200,984 
			 1998 311,924 
			 1999 759,209 
			 2000 304,547 
			 2001 319,090 
			 2002 104,943 
		
	
	The Department did not commission the National Foundation for Educational Research to evaluate POPAT.

National Literacy Strategy

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the National Literacy Strategy on literacy skills among primary school pupils in Taunton.

Stephen Twigg: The National Literacy Strategy has transformed standards of literacy in our primary schools. Nationally, 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in the 2003 Key Stage 2 English tests, 10 percentage points more than in 1998. A recent international study showed that England's 10-year-olds are now the third most able readers in the world.
	In Somerset schools, the percentage of pupils achieving level 4 in the Key Stage 2 English tests has improved by seven percentage points, from 67 per cent. to 74 per cent., between 1998 and 2003. We are unable to disaggregate the results for Taunton schools.

National Primary Strategy

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received in relation to the National Primary Strategy.

David Miliband: Following the publication of "Excellence and Enjoyment—A strategy for primary schools" in May 2003, we have received a number of responses from individuals and organisations. In addition, we have invited 6,000 primary headteachers to attend a series of conferences, where they will have the opportunity to comment on the strategy.

Ormond Road Workshops

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what applications have been made to the Learning and Skills Council for funding of the Ormond Road Workshops in Islington; on what dates applications were received; and what the decision was in each case.

David Miliband: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and place a copy of his reply in the Library.

Public Relations Consultants

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 12 June, Official Report, column 1026W, what his Department's budget for public relations consultants in the financial years 2003–04 and 2004–05 is.

Stephen Twigg: The Department's anticipated expenditure on public relations consultants in 2003–04 is £1,573,000. Plans and budgets for the Department's communications activity, including use of public relation consultants, for 2004–05 have not yet been developed and so it is not possible to give the information requested.

Pupil Funding

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if the guaranteed minimum per pupil increase in 2004–05 and 2005–06 will (a) take account of standards fund payments to schools and (b) apply only to the age-weighted per pupil funding.

Alan Johnson: The Secretary of State's statement of 17 July on school funding said that the Standards Fund would be maintained and inflation-proofed at 2003–04 levels. The level of Standards Fund allocations will therefore be guaranteed separately. The guaranteed minimum per pupil increase will refer to school budget shares, excluding the part funded through the Learning and Skills Council, for which separate arrangements will be in place as outlined in the statement. The Department is working with local education authorities on the methodology for the guarantee, and aim to issue draft regulations and guidance during the autumn.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when he expects the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to meet its obligations under section 95 of the December 2002 Tomlinson Report to publish a Memorandum of Understanding between the QCA and the awarding bodies before the first anniversary of the publication of that report;
	(2)  what discussions took place between the Department and the awarding bodies as stipulated in section 95 of the December 2002 Tomlinson Report relating to the Memorandum of Understanding published on 19 June;
	(3)  what plans he has to call together the relevant staff of his Department, of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and of the awarding bodies to discuss jointly the Memorandum of Understanding (a) drawn up between his Department and the QCA, and (b) drawn up between the QCA and the awarding bodies;
	(4)  when he expects to meet his obligation under section 95 of the December 2002 Tomlinson Report to publish a Memorandum of Understanding between the DfES and the awarding bodies before the first anniversary of the publication of that report.

Stephen Twigg: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) was published on QCA's website on 19 June. I placed a copy in the Library on 18 June. The MoU refers at paragraph 11 to the basis on which the Department meets the awarding bodies.
	The relationship between QCA and the awarding bodies is covered by QCA's regulatory arrangements which include the accreditation criteria and Codes of Practice published jointly by the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales, the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment and QCA. There is no need for a separate memorandum of understanding between DfES and the awarding bodies. QCA will continue to monitor and review its regulatory arrangements and to meet regularly with the Joint Council for General Qualifications.

Qualified Teachers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers with qualified teacher status were working (a) full-time and (b) part-time in (i) secondary, (ii) primary and (iii) special schools in each year from 1992–93 to 2002–03.

David Miliband: The number of regular teachers with qualified teacher status in England broken down by phase and split by full and part-time full time equivalents (FTE) is given in the following table. Other regular teachers, of which there were 15,200 in maintained schools in England in 2003 1 , are teachers who hold recognised school-teaching qualifications from countries outside the European Economic Area; trainees on employment-based routes to QTS (the Graduate, Registered and Overseas-Trained Teacher Programmes); and instructors with special qualifications or experience of a particular subject.
	
		Regular teachers with qualified teacher status in England -- Thousand
		
			  Nursery and primary(23) Secondary(24) Special(25) 
			  Total (FTE) Full time Part time (FTE) Total (FTE) Full time Part time (FTE) Total (FTE) Full time Part time (FTE) Total (FTE) 
		
		
			 1992 187.2 173.9 13.3 192.1 180.2 11.9 15.6 14.7 0.9 394.9 
			 1993 188.4 175.1 13.3 192.3 180.1 12.2 15.5 14.6 0.9 396.2 
			 1994 189.0 175.4 13.6 186.4 174.2 12.2 15.3 14.3 1.0 390.7 
			 1995 190.0 175.8 14.2 188.3 175.4 12.9 15.2 14.1 1.1 393.5 
			 1996 190.8 176.3 14.5 187.9 174.5 13.4 14.9 13.8 1.1 393.6 
			 1997 190.7 175.9 14.8 187.7 174.3 13.4 14.7 13.5 1.2 393.1 
			 1998 189.0 174.0 15.0 187.7 173.9 13.8 14.3 13.1 1.2 391.0 
			 1999 189.9 174.0 15.9 189.8 175.7 14.1 14.2 12.9 1.3 393.9 
			 2000 191.6 174.9 16.7 191.1 176.6 14.5 14.1 12.8 1.3 396.8 
			 2001 192.6 174.7 17.9 193.8 179.2 14.6 14.0 12.7 1.3 400.4 
			 2002 193.0 173.9 19.1 196.6 181.3 15.3 13.9 12.4 1.5 403.5 
			 2003(22) 191.9 171.6 20.3 198.0 182.3 15.7 13.7 12.2 1.5 403.6 
		
	
	(22) Data are provisional but are unlikely to change.
	(23) Pupil numbers in nursery and primary schools decreased by 48,000 between 2002 and 2003.
	(24) Includes sixth form colleges prior to 1994.
	(25) There are fewer pupils in special schools as they have been moving into mainstream schools in the period covered in this table.
	Note:
	Teachers in service and teacher vacancies (618G) has a survey date of the third Thursday in January.Source for note:
	618g survey.

Qualified Teachers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people working as teachers in employment based training routes (a) commenced training and (b) gained qualified teacher status in each year from 1996–97 to 2002–03.

David Miliband: The table shows the available data for the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programmes and the Overseas-Trained Teacher Programme. No data relating to earlier employment-based training routes, such as the Licensed Teacher Scheme, are available in the form requested. No data on numbers of Qualified Teacher Status awards made to employment-based trainees is available for years before 2000/01.
	
		
			  1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 
		
		
			 RTP new entrants(26) 7 77 69 96 155 214 
			 OTTP new entrants(26) n/a n/a n/a n/a 755 910 
			 GTP new entrants(26) 89 572 872 1,860 3,507 3,813 
			 Total new entrants(26) 96 649 941 1,956 4,417 4,937 
			 Total QTS awards(27),(28) n/a n/a n/a 691 2,437 3,842 
		
	
	(26) RTP and GTP trainees may begin their training at the start of the autumn, spring or summer terms. OTTP trainees may begin their training at any time.
	(27) Total numbers of awards made to RTP, OTTP and GTP trainees during the academic year, irrespective of in which academic year the completers' training commenced. Planned length of training may alter during the programme if a candidate switches from full- to part-time employment or vice-versa, or if training progresses more quickly or slowly than originally planned.
	(28) A further 14 employment-based trainees have been awarded QTS so far in the 2003/04 academic year.
	Source:
	Teacher Training Agency Employment-based Routes Data Management System

Regional Assemblies

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what responsibilities and functions would pass from his Department to an elected regional assembly on its establishment.

David Miliband: The aim of elected assemblies is to ensure that regional functions are carried out effectively and better reflect the needs of the region. Assemblies will also play an important role in supporting delivery of the Department's skills agenda, including ensuring coherence between national, regional and local level. Central to this will be its role in appointing two members to each of the Boards of the local Learning and Skills Councils in its region. It will also be consulted on other appointments; and on the LSC's guidance and plans for learning and skills development.

Regular Teacher (Definition)

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his definition is of a regular teacher; and when that definition was made.

David Miliband: Teachers employed on contracts of a month or more are defined as regular teachers. Teachers employed on contracts of less than a month are defined as occasional teachers. Information has been collected on this basis since the 1960s on the Annual Survey of Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies (Form 618G).
	The Department has used regular teachers as its standard definition for the number of teachers in the maintained sector for most purposes since 2000. This provides a stable measure of teacher numbers that is not affected by the relatively large year-on-year fluctuations in the demand for occasional teachers. The number of occasional teachers rose markedly between January 1999 and January 2001 and then fell in both 2002 and 2003. Both regular and occasional teacher numbers continue to be provided in official publications.

Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list local authorities in which spending on (a) special educational needs and (b) excluded pupils increased by a higher percentage than the individual schools budget in 2003–04, giving in each case the percentage increase for each budget head.

Alan Johnson: The Secretary of State published tables showing this information on the 2 May. A copy was placed in the Library of the House. Detailed expenditure data will be made available in September to allow benchmarking by LEAs and their Schools Forums, and this will show year-on-year changes for a range of selected expenditure categories from 2002–03 to 2003–04, for both Schools and LEA Budgets. These will include changes in spending on special educational needs and spending on pupils educated other than at school.

Schools

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the circular documents that were sent by his Department to (a) primary schools, (b) city technology colleges, (c) other secondary schools and (d) special schools between 1 September 2002 and 1 July 2003; and how many pages each document contained.

David Miliband: We sent the following in the period 1 September 2002 to 1 July 2003:
	To all primary schools: 27 documents—total number of pages: 480
	To all city technology colleges: 30 documents—total number of pages: 850
	To all special schools: see the following:
	To all other secondary schools: 30 documents—total pages: 850
	Primary schools
	The 27 documents sent to all primary schools were as follows:
	Letter from Secretary of State on the Criminal Records Bureau
	Guidance on School Teachers Pay and Conditions 2002
	School Performance Tables
	September 2002 class size count
	Further literacy support file
	Building on improvements (literacy and numeracy)
	Secretary of State letter on KS2 results
	New school finance pack flyer
	Early Years headcount 1
	New funding system for LEAs
	Criminal Records Bureau: update on arrangements
	National literacy and numeracy refresher pack
	Languages for all: languages for life
	Information on Sure Start
	Raising Standards and tackling Workload (National Agreement)
	Letter from officials about development of an 'e-batch' system
	Building schools for the future
	Write here, write now
	Annual Schools census 2002
	Threshold guidance details
	Excellence and enjoyment: a strategy for primary education
	Safeguarding children: practice guidance for practitioners (summary)
	Extended schools: providing opportunities and services for all
	Childcare in extended schools
	ICT in the literacy hour
	City Technology Colleges (CTCs)
	CTCs automatically received the same documents as those sent to 'other secondary schools'.
	They were not sent any separate documents.
	Special Schools
	We are unable to provide total figures for special schools. This is because each school will have received documents that were relevant to their KS equivalent intake. So those with young people aged 5–11 would have received some of the material aimed at KS1 and KS2 level. Those with young people aged 11–16 would have received some of the material aimed at KS3 and KS4 level. Those with pupils aged between 5 and 16 would have received some of the material aimed at stages KSI-KS4.
	Special schools automatically received a further document that went neither to primary schools nor to secondary schools. This was the report of the special schools working group which ran to 180 pages.
	No special school would have received documents in excess of the individual totals shown for other secondary schools or for primary schools.
	Other Secondary schools
	The 30 documents sent to other secondary schools were as follows:
	Letter from Secretary of State on the Criminal Records Bureau
	Key Stage 3 framework for ICT capability
	Schools and Colleges performance tables
	Secretary of State letter on KS3 results
	Revised guidance on dis-application of the national curriculum at KS4
	Target setting at Key stage 3
	Guidance on School Teachers Pay and Conditions 2002
	New school finance pack flyer
	KS3 year 9 booster: Maths
	KS3 year 9 booster: Science
	KS3 year 9 booster: English
	Annual Schools census 2002
	New funding system for LEAs
	Criminal Records Bureau: update on arrangements
	Languages for all: languages for life
	Letter from officials about development of an 'e-batch' system
	Consultation on 14–19 arrangements: outcomes pack
	Raising Standards and tackling Workload (National Agreement)
	A new specialist system: transforming secondary education
	Building schools for the future
	Survey of absences in schools
	National non statutory specification for careers education and guidance
	Safeguarding children: practice guidance for practitioners (summary)
	12th youth cohort study
	Threshold guidance details
	Extended schools: providing opportunities and services for all
	Childcare in extended schools
	Governing body procedures from 1 September 2003
	Celebrating commonwealth day partners in development
	Child protection: post-Climbie report
	In addition we sent a copy of the monthly DfES bulletin ('Spectrum' which carries news and publications of interest) to all schools each month. These varied in length but in total 11 bulletins were sent with the total number of pages running to 120.
	1 The early years headcount material was sent once a term.

Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the potential financial liability of school governors where a school sets a deficit budget.

Stephen Twigg: Section 50(7) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 provides that the governors of a school do not incur any personal liability in managing a delegated budget, provided they act in good faith. It does not appear to the Government that ordinarily the decision of a governing body to set a deficit budget is an act of bad faith such that individual governors would lose the protection of corporate status, and potentially be personally liable. However, such issues clearly turn on their own particular circumstances; and relevant matters would include whether members had conscientiously considered the relevant facts and circumstances, and had not knowingly misled the local education authority.

Schools

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he has given to local education authorities on the modernisation of school libraries.

Margaret Hodge: Guidance on the design of school libraries is contained in the Department's Building Bulletin 82, "Area Guidelines for Schools", and Building Bulletin 95, "Schools for the Future—Designs for Learning Communities". Both documents are published by the Stationery Office, but can also be viewed on www.teachernet.gov.uk/schoolbuildings.

Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will instruct Ofsted to include the provision of science and biology fieldwork as one of the criteria for assessing school performance.

Margaret Hodge: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

Schools

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to improve the quality of school science laboratories.

David Miliband: This government aims to improve school laboratories in line with the recommendations of Sir Gareth Roberts report in 2002 on the supply of scientists, so that there are no unsatisfactory laboratories by the end of this spending review period in 2005–06, and all school laboratories are good or excellent by 2010. Capital funding available for investment in school buildings, including in laboratories, is 3.8 billion this year, and it will rise to over £5 billion by 2005–06. Most of this funding is allocated by formula to schools and to local education authorities so that they can invest in their school buildings in line with priorities determined locally through a rigorous, transparent and consultative asset management planning process, which reflects local needs and government aims. Guidance to schools and local education authorities on capital funding reflects its aim to improve school laboratories.
	Further, earlier this year, we launched Building Schools for the Future, which aims to renew all secondary schools in England so that they are suitable for the teaching and learning needs of the 21st century, in ten to fifteen years from 2005–06, subject to future public spending decisions. This programme includes developing a number of exemplar designs for secondary schools, including laboratory provision, which will reflect our ambitions for schools for the future.

Schools

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which recent studies of literacy and numeracy standards among primary school children his Department has analysed; and what assessment he has made of these studies.

Alan Johnson: The Department seeks to keep abreast of all research and evaluation of standards and practice in literacy and numeracy. On standards in England, the most comprehensive studies have been the evaluations of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies by Ofsted and by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, which found that the Strategies have had a significant impact on the standards attained and on the quality of teaching in primary schools. On international comparisons, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study found that children in England are among the most able readers in the world at the age of 10. England was ranked third of the 35 countries involved.
	The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies from their inception were based on the best available research, and as our support for literacy and numeracy standards develops further through our primary strategy, "Excellence and Enjoyment" we will continue to ensure a sound evidence base for our policies.

Schools

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to prevent homophobic bullying in schools; and what guidance is issued to headteachers in this respect.

Ivan Lewis: Our free pack "Bullying: don't Suffer in Silence" is designed to help schools deal effectively with all forms of bullying. It recommends explicit reference to homophobic bullying in school anti-bullying policies so that pupils know it is unacceptable. The pack and our anti-bullying website also refer to other organisations that can provide additional help to young people affected by homophobic bullying.
	Every secondary and middle school in England will shortly receive expert advice and training on improving attendance and behaviour. This will include material on the importance of tackling bullying in any form.
	Tackling homophobic bullying will also feature in planned new National Healthy School Standard guidance and guidance for Connexions Personal Advisers.

Schools

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the schools in Leicestershire that are in the special measures category.

David Miliband: The schools in Leicestershire which currently require special measures as of 18 July 2003 are as follows:
	(a) Leicester City LEA:
	Spinney Hill Primary and Community Centre (Primary)
	Queensmead Junior School (Primary)
	Forest Lodge Primary School (Primary)
	(b) Leicestershire LEA:
	Latimer Primary School (Primary)
	John Cleveland College (Secondary)
	Longslade Community College (Secondary)
	Shelthorpe Primary School (Primary)
	Thrussington CE Primary School (Primary)

Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in what exceptional circumstances local authorities will be free to passport less than the full increase in schools formula spending share to schools.

Alan Johnson: The Secretary of State's statement of 17 July on school funding made clear the Government's expectation that "barring wholly exceptional circumstances, each and every LEA should 'passport' the full increase in its Schools Formula Spending Share (SPSS) into a matching increase in the Schools Budget". In considering whether or not to use his reserve power to set a minimum schools budget for the following financial year for any LEA proposing not to passport, the Secretary of State will consider all relevant circumstances including the reasons put forward by the LEA. He has made no pre-judgment on what would be considered exceptional. The current expectation is that every authority will passport and the Government will ensure that every local authority receives sufficient central Government grant to "passport" in full the increase in SPSS into its Schools Budget.

Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether schools forums will be able to agree a funding baseline for the guaranteed per pupil increase which is higher than current per pupil funding.

Alan Johnson: The Secretary of State said in his statement on school funding of 17 July stated that local education authorities and schools will work together through their Schools Forums to agree the funding baseline to which the guaranteed per pupil increase will be applied. We aim to issue guidance and draft regulations on this during the autumn.

Science Curriculum

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what plans he has to reassess the provision for fieldwork within the curriculum for science (a) GCSE and (b) A-level; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the resource implications that would arise if all secondary schools were required to make provision for fieldwork for all pupils;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the implications for environmental awareness of access to field work as part of the biology curriculum;
	(4)  what information his Department collects centrally about secondary schools providing science or biology field work opportunities for all pupils; and what strategies he has for encouraging such provisions.

Alan Johnson: There are no plans to reassess the provision for field work within science GCSE or A-level. The existing science National Curriculum at Key Stages 1–4, together with current GCSE and A-level syllabuses, encourages field work; there is also a pilot at A-level which places particular emphasis on it. Additionally, all primary and secondary schools are required to make provision for fieldwork for all pupils as part of the Geography curriculum. The Department does not collect information centrally about the provision of science or biology field work opportunities for pupils.
	No assessment has been made of the implications for environmental awareness of access to field work as part of the biology curriculum. "Growing Schools" encourages schools to use the 'outdoor classroom' as a resource in all subjects including science. The National Association of Field Studies Officers and the Field Studies Council are members of the National Advisory Group.

Special Needs

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what types of specific handicap or special need are defined as constituting special needs; and how many children there were with each specific type of handicap, at 11 July.

Margaret Hodge: Section 312 of the Education Act 1996 sets out that children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. Children are defined as having a learning difficulty if they:
	a. have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age;
	b. have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age in schools within the area of the local education authority; OR
	c. are under compulsory school age and fall within the definition above or would so if special educational provision was not made for them.
	Four main areas of difficulty or need are identified in the statutory SEN Code of Practice, published in November 2001. Some of these can be sub-divided to give 11 categories:
	a. Cognition and learning needs
	Specific learning difficulty
	Moderate learning difficulty
	Severe learning difficulty
	Profound and multiple learning difficulty b. Behaviour, emotional and social development needs
	Behaviour, emotional and social difficulty
	c. Communication and interaction needs
	Speech, language and communication needs
	Autistic spectrum disorder
	d. Sensory and/or physical needs
	Visual impairment
	Hearing impairment
	Multi-sensory impairment
	Physical disability
	The Department does not currently collect data about the numbers of children with specific types of special educational need. However, we will be collecting this data from January 2004 and have recently published guidance to support this process. I will ensure that the hon. Member receives a copy.

Standards Fund

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his policy that increases in schools formula spending share made in 2003–04 to reflect the removal of standards funds will be reversed to reflect the restoration of standards funds in 2004–05 and 2005–06.

Alan Johnson: The restoration of the standards funds in 2004–05 and 2005–06 are a separate issue from the transfer of funding to schools formula spending share in 2003–04. Therefore the restoration of standards fund in 2004–05 and 2005–06 will have no effect on the level of the schools formula spending share for those years.

Teachers

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria are to be applied in September 2004 for teachers to move from upper pay scale 2 to upper pay scale 3; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: For Upper Pay Scale 3, we have proposed to the School Teachers Review Body STRB) that there should be a series of changes including a simple new application requirement for progression, as well as a clear role for the governing body in deciding well in advance how many teachers should progress. We also plan rigorous new excellence criteria for progression, and to cash-limit resources to a level that will find progression at about a third of those eligible in September 2004. We have asked the STRB to make recommendations in November so that schools can better plan their budgets for 2004–05.

Teachers

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher redundancies have been made in (a) Dorset, (b) Poole and (c) Bournemouth local education authorities in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: Definitive information on redundancies of teachers is not collected centrally. Provisional statistics on teacher and support staff numbers and teacher vacancies at January 2003 were published in April in Statistical First Release 10/2003. Statistics due to be released on 9 September will provide regional and LEA level breakdowns of these figures; provisional national figures for January 2004 are due to be published next April. In May this year, in response to concerns about the difficulties some schools are facing as a result of changes to the funding arrangements, my Department liaised with local education authorities (LEAs) to make a broad assessment of the extent to which schools were making changes in their teaching staff complements. This included whether teachers were being made compulsorily redundant, and the possible reasons for changes in staffing, including falling rolls. LEAs' assessments were based on the best information available to them at that time; many told us that definitive information was not available and that the situation was changing rapidly as schools finalised their budgets and their staffing. In addition they advised that a significant number of the redundancy notices were 'protective' and were likely to be withdrawn as the situation within schools and the LEA became clearer. My Department will continue to work closely with our national partners, including representatives of teachers, and have regular contact with LEAs.

Teachers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 633W, on teacher redundancies, what the reasons were for the delay in answering the question; at what level information on redundancies is collected centrally; if he will place that information in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The answer to the hon. Member's earlier question was being processed in the usual way and was answered at the earliest opportunity. Provisional statistics on teacher and support staff numbers and teacher vacancies at January 2003 were published in April in Statistical First Release 10/2003. Statistics due to be released on 9 September will provide regional and LEA level breakdowns of these figures; provisional national figures for January 2004 are due to be published next April. In May this year, in response to concerns about the difficulties some schools are facing as a result of changes to the funding arrangements, my Department liaised with local education authorities (LEA)s to make a broad assessment of the extent to which schools were making changes in their teaching staff complements. This included whether teaches were being made compulsorily redundant, and the possible reasons for changes in staffing, including falling rolls. LEAs' assessments were based on the best information available to them at that time; many told us that definitive information was not available and that the situation was changing rapidly as schools finalised their budges and their staffing. In addition they advised that a significant number of the redundancy notices were 'protective' and were likely to be withdrawn as the situation within schools and the LEA became clearer. My Department will continue to work closely with our national partners, including representatives of teachers, and have regular contact with LEAs.

Teachers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much his Department has spent on the fast track teacher training programme in each year, broken down by category of expenditure since the scheme commenced; how many applications there were for each year; how many were allocated a place each year; how many obtained qualified teacher status; how many entered teaching, broken down by (a) primary, (b) special secondary, (c) community, (d) foundation, (e) voluntary aided, (f) voluntary controlled and (g) independent school; and how many have subsequently left teaching.

David Miliband: The Fast Track teaching programme is a long-term investment in developing effective leadership in schools. This year has seen a record number of appointments to the programme, more than double the totals in previous years.
	
		Investment in the Fast Track teaching programme -- £ million
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Information and Publicity 1.83 1.99 1.75 
			 Application materials, assessment and selection 2.38 3.78 2.38 
			 ITT and CPD 0.00 0.65 1.87 
			 Pay, mentoring, career guidance and miscellaneous costs 0.40 1.85 2.08 
			 Total 4.60 8.27 8.07 
		
	
	
		Numbers of applicants and participants to date
		
			 By September New applications to join Fast Track New offers made to join Fast Track New entrants to Fast Track ITT(29) Newly Completed ITT and gained QTS(29) In Fast Track teaching posts On Fast Track teaching programme 
		
		
			 2001 1,574 136 110 n/a n/a 120 (incl. 10 deferring) 
			 2002 1,010 161 117 100 110 249 (incl. 22 deferring) 
			 2003 2185 378 (30)310 110 239 (30)549  
		
	
	(29) Not applicable to those already holding QTS when selected for Fast Track.
	(30) Provisional.
	
		Fast Track teachers in post in September 2003: detailed breakdown
		
			 Type of school Total 
		
		
			 Primary 69 
			 Secondary 168 
			 Special 2 
			 Total 239 
			 of which:  
			 Community 168 
			 Foundation 31 
			 Voluntary aided 27 
			 Voluntary controlled 12 
			 City Academies 1 
		
	
	Six individuals accepted onto the Fast Track programme since its inception have subsequently left the programme to enter teaching in the independent sector; four from the first year's intake and two from the second.
	No-one who has taken up a Fast Track teaching post has subsequently left teaching. One individual has left her Fast Track teaching post to take up promotion as an Assistant Head.

Teachers

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there are within the Leeds education authority.

David Miliband: Teacher vacancies at local authority level for January 2003 will be published in a Statistical First Release on 9 September 2003. Data for 1997 to 2002 were published in table 14 of the Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies Statistical First Release (SFR18/2002) in August 2002. A copy has been placed in the Library. The table is also available on the statistics section of the DfES website at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics/DB/SFR/s0346/index.html.

Teachers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there were in special schools in each of the last five years, broken down by local education authority.

David Miliband: The table shows the number of teacher vacancies in maintained special schools in England at January of each year. Data for 2002 are the most recent available at local authority level. Provisional figures for January 2003 show that the number of vacancies in maintained special in England schools fell to 240.
	
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Gateshead 3 0 0 1 1 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 4 2 1 0 2 
			 North Tyneside 0 0 1 0 2 
			 South Tyneside 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Sunderland 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Hartlepool 0 2 1 0 1 
			 Middlesbrough 3 1 0 0 2 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 2 1 0 0 0 
			 Stockton on Tees 0 0 2 0 2 
			 Darlington 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Durham 2 0 0 0 1 
			 Northumberland 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North East 15 6 5 1 11 
			 Cumbria 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Former Cheshire 7 — — — — 
			 Cheshire (post 1.4.98) — 1 2 2 2 
			 Halton — 0 0 0 0 
			 Warrington — 0 1 1 0 
			 Bolton 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Bury 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Manchester 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Oldham 2 0 3 1 6 
			 Rochdale 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Salford 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Stockport 2 0 1 1 1 
			 Tameside 1 0 1 0 1 
			 Trafford 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Wigan 3 2 0 1 0 
			 Former Lancashire 6 — — — — 
			 Lancashire (post 1.4.98) — 4 6 4 4 
			 Blackburn with Darwen — 0 2 0 3 
			 Blackpool — 1 0 0 0 
			 Knowsley 1 3 5 1 0 
			 Liverpool 0 7 0 0 0 
			 St. Helens 0 0 1 0 2 
			 Sefton 1 1 0 4 0 
			 Wirral 0 0 0 4 1 
			 North West 24 19 22 19 21 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 0 0 0 0 3 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 0 0 0 0 1 
			 North East Lincolnshire 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North Lincolnshire 0 0 0 0 8 
			 North Yorkshire 2 0 1 1 1 
			 York 0 1 0 1 2 
			 Barnsley 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Doncaster 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Rotherham 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Sheffield 1 0 2 0 1 
			 Bradford 4 2 0 0 0 
			 Calderdale 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Kirklees 0 0 0 0 1 
			 Leeds 3 3 3 1 0 
			 Wakefield 0 0 0 3 0 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 10 6 6 7 17 
			 Derbyshire 3 0 3 2 3 
			 Derby 1 0 1 0 5 
			 Leicestershire 0 0 3 0 1 
			 Leicester 1 3 1 6 3 
			 Rutland 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Lincolnshire 3 3 3 2 5 
			 Northamptonshire 0 0 1 4 0 
			 Former Nottinghamshire 0 — — — — 
			 Nottinghamshire (post 1.4.98) — 0 0 0 0 
			 Nottingham — 0 1 5 2 
			 East Midlands 8 6 13 19 19 
			 Former Hereford & Worcester 0 — — — — 
			 Herefordshire — 0 1 0 0 
			 Worcestershire — 0 1 0 0 
			 Former Shropshire 0 — — — — 
			 Shropshire (post 1.4.98) — 0 0 0 0 
			 Telford and Wrekin — 0 6 0 0 
			 Staffordshire 0 4 7 3 1 
			 Stoke on Trent 0 0 1 2 0 
			 Warwickshire 1 2 1 3 3 
			 Birmingham 0 2 3 2 11 
			 Coventry 0 1 0 0 2 
			 Dudley 3 2 2 2 1 
			 Sandwell 0 1 0 6 6 
			 Solihull 1 1 3 2 6 
			 Walsall 1 1 0 0 1 
			 Wolverhampton 1 3 5 3 0 
			 West Midlands 7 18 29 25 33 
			 Former Cambridgeshire 1 — — — — 
			 Cambridgeshire (post 1.4.98) — 0 0 0 3 
			 Peterborough — 0 0 0 1 
			 Norfolk 1 1 1 4 3 
			 Suffolk 3 7 4 1 3 
			 Bedfordshire 3 2 6 5 4 
			 Luton 2 0 0 0 2 
			 Former Essex 4 — — — — 
			 Essex (post 1.4.98) — 7 10 5 7 
			 Southend on Sea — 2 0 0 1 
			 Thurrock — 0 0 1 1 
			 Hertfordshire 6 7 0 5 2 
			 East of England 20 26 21 21 27 
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden 5 8 1 2 4 
			 Greenwich 5 1 5 2 2 
			 Hackney 3 6 5 5 3 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 6 1 3 6 1 
			 Islington 2 0 0 5 2 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Lambeth 0 2 8 6 11 
			 Lewisham 3 2 4 3 0 
			 Southwark 0 4 1 5 1 
			 Tower Hamlets 1 5 3 6 6 
			 Wandsworth 15 12 8 6 13 
			 Westminster 4 4 5 2 4 
			 Barking and Dagenham 2 4 0 1 0 
			 Barnet 0 4 4 4 1 
			 Bexley 2 0 4 3 1 
			 Brent 7 1 2 0 4 
			 Bromley 0 1 2 2 1 
			 Croydon 7 1 4 2 0 
			 Ealing 5 5 5 0 1 
			 Enfield 3 2 2 3 7 
			 Haringey 0 3 3 2 0 
			 Harrow 1 2 8 2 5 
			 Havering 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Hillingdon 1 1 1 6 4 
			 Hounslow 1 3 2 0 1 
			 Kingston upon Thames 0 0 0 2 0 
			 Merton 1 1 2 5 0 
			 Newham 1 0 3 2 3 
			 Redbridge 6 6 2 0 2 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1 1 0 3 1 
			 Sutton 1 2 0 0 3 
			 Waltham Forest 1 0 0 0 4 
			 London 84 82 887 86 85 
			 Former Berkshire 0 — — — — 
			 Bracknell Forest — 0 1 1 1 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead — 0 6 4 3 
			 West Berkshire — 0 1 1 0 
			 Reading — 0 5 4 4 
			 Slough — 1 1 3 0 
			 Wokingham — 3 1 3 1 
			 Buckinghamshire 11 7 3 5 5 
			 Milton Keynes 4 3 0 2 5 
			 East Sussex 3 1 4 1 2 
			 Brighton and Hove 0 0 0 2 3 
			 Hampshire 8 3 7 8 9 
			 Portsmouth 0 3 0 3 4 
			 Southampton 1 0 1 1 1 
			 Isle of Wight 0 1 0 0 1 
			 Former Kent 18 — — — — 
			 Kent (post 1.4.98) — 9 13 23 9 
			 Medway — 1 3 5 3 
			 Oxfordshire 0 0 0 0 4 
			 Surrey 6 3 2 17 12 
			 West Sussex 2 4 2 6 3 
			 South East 53 39 50 89 70 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 0 1 0 1 2 
			 City of Bristol 2 7 6 0 2 
			 North Somerset 2 0 0 0 0 
			 South Gloucestershire 2 1 0 0 0 
			 Cornwall 0 3 0 0 0 
			 Former Devon 2 — — — — 
			 Devon (post 1.4.98) — 0 1 2 0 
			 Plymouth — 0 0 0 2 
			 Torbay — 0 0 1 0 
			 Dorset 0 0 2 2 0 
			 Poole 2 0 0 2 1 
			 Bournemouth 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Gloucestershire 1 0 1 3 0 
			 Somerset 0 0 0 0 2 
			 Wiltshire 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Swindon 0 1 1 2 0 
			 South West 12 14 11 13 9 
			 England 233 216 244 280 292

Teachers

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 7 May 2003, Official Report, column 695W, whether he has set a date for the launch of the Teachernet emergency planning website; and what the cost has been of developing the website.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 24 June 2003
	Following the trialling we hope to be able to launch the website by the end of October, assuming that all the further development work and testing are satisfactorily completed and clearances obtained. The cost of developing the site, approximately £60,000, remains unchanged from my previous reply of 7 May.
	The website will bring together a range of information already publicly available to schools. It will cover: planning, including health and safety, evacuation procedures and emergency services; types of incidents, which includes fire, flooding, terrorism and threats by post; and resources, such as forms to help schools with risk assessments.

Teachers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what statistics his Department collects on assaults on teachers; and how many teachers have been the subject of (a) physical assaults, (b) verbal assaults and (c) other threatening behaviour from (i) children and (ii) parents in each year since 1988.

David Miliband: The Department does not collect information on assaults on teachers. However, serious injuries to primary and secondary school teachers in Great Britain caused by physical violence reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 have been as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1996/97 83 
			 1997/98 119 
			 1998/99 124 
			 1999/2000 135 
			 2000/01 135 
			 2001/02 110 
		
	
	The figures include major injuries and also injuries resulting in more than three days' absence from work as a result of assault. Information is not available on whether the assaults were carried out by children, parents or others.

Teachers

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were employed in Leicestershire schools expressed as full-time equivalents on 1st April in each year from 1997 to 2002.

David Miliband: Teacher numbers as at January in each of these years were published in table 13 of the Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies Statistical First Release (SFR18/2002) in August 2002. A copy has been placed in the Library. The table is also available on the statistics section of the DfES website at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics/DB/SFR/s0346/index.html

Teachers

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on salaries of teachers in the Greater London area.

David Miliband: Teachers' salaries are regularly monitored using the Department's Database of Teachers' Records. Regional salary data from this source are published each year in the Department's evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB), a copy of which is in the library. The evidence is also available on the DfES website at http://www. teachernet.gov.uk/management/payandperformance/pay/strb2003/. The STRB also carries out a sample survey of about 3,000 schools in England and Wales each year to inform its annual teachers' pay review. The results of this survey can be found on the STRB website at: http://www.ome.uk.com/stp review.cfm.

Teachers

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) teachers and (b) classroom assistants there were in schools in (i) the Taunton constituency and (ii) Somerset in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: The number of full time equivalent (FTE) teachers and teaching assistants in the maintained sector in Taunton constituency and Somerset LEA since 1997 are shown in the following table.
	
		Teachers and teaching assistants in Taunton constituency and Somerset: 1997–2002
		
			  Taunton constituency Somerset LEA 
			  FTE number of teachers(31) FTE number of teaching assistants(31),(32) FTE number of teachers(33) FTE number of teaching assistants(31),(32) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1997 680 140 3,480 610 
			 1998 650 150 3,480 660 
			 1999 650 160 3,380 680 
			 2000 670 170 3,530 710 
			 2001 690 210 3,770 830 
			 2002 720 230 3,770 920 
		
	
	(31) Source: Annual School Census.
	(32) Includes nursery assistants, special needs support staff, minority ethnic pupil support staff and other teaching assistants.
	(33) Source: 618G survey of teacher numbers and vacancies.
	Annual school census and 618G have a survey date of the third Thursday in January.
	Local education authority level data for 2003 will be published in a statistical first release on 9 September.

Tuition and Top-up Fees

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost of abolishing tuition and top-up fees in 2003–04 would be; and what the cost of administering the eligibility assessment for loans and fees is.

Alan Johnson: English HE institutions' income from the standard fee of £1,125 is estimated at £847 million for 2003/04, comprising £431 million in private contributions and £416 million in public contributions through the fee remission grant. English HE institutions will not start to receive income from variable fees until 2006/07. Data on the cost to local education authorities of administering the eligibility assessments for loans and fees is not separately identified in the information collected by the Department on LEA spending.

Under-achieving Students

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to raise the performance of under-achieving students.

Stephen Twigg: The Primary and Key Stage 3 National Strategies are designed to raise standards for all students but include a strong focus on under-achievement. At Primary stage we provide several programmes to help pupils reach the expected level for their age by the end of Key Stage 2, plus targeted local support to schools and LEAs on addressing under-performance. Further measures being introduced this September, such as the Primary Leadership Programme, are also designed to tackle lower attainment. Evidence of the impact of our programmes is reflected in the Key Stage 2 results. The 2003 results show that 75 per cent. of 11-year-olds achieved the expected level for their age in English and 73 per cent. in maths. This represents a 10 percentage point increase in English and a 14 percentage point increase in maths since 1998.
	We are using a similar model to address under-performance for pupils aged 11–14 through the Key Stage 3 Strategy. There are tailored support programmes in each of the three years at Key Stage 3 to help lower-attaining pupils reach the expected level at age 14. We are also targeting schools and LEAs that we believe would benefit from additional support. After only the first full year of the Strategy, the Key Stage 3 tests results stand at their best ever, Maths is up by three percentage points to 70 per cent. achieving level 5 (the expected level) and science and English are both up by one percentage point to 68 per cent.. There have also been improvements in level 6 attainment of four and seven percentage points in maths and science respectively.
	At Key Stage 4 we are also supporting schools where pupil performance is too low. We are directing substantial resources through Excellence in Cities to transform standards in urban areas facing the challenges associated with cities. We are also supporting schools in difficult circumstances to address under-performance through the Leadership Incentive Grant.

Union Learning Fund

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the Union Learning Fund.

Ivan Lewis: Unions have a key role in promoting learning and skills in the workplace, and to help them achieve this, the Department has provided financial support through the Union Learning Fund since 1998. The Union Learning Fund is now in its sixth year and has supported over 400 projects from over 50 different unions, working in almost 3,000 workplaces. Many Union Learning Fund projects are specifically aimed at widening participation in learning: basic skills, social inclusion and equal opportunities and improving access to learning. Evaluation up to 2002, together with performance management data for July 2003, has shown that over 36,000 people have completed learning courses, over 6,500 Union Learning Representatives have been trained and around 180 new learning centres have been opened. Unions have been very successful in engaging non-traditional learners including older males and shift workers.
	One of the Union Learning Fund's greatest strengths is the success of Union Learning Representatives, a new type of lay union representative whose main function is to advise union members about their training and development needs. Union Learning Representatives are ideally placed to help and encourage workers to improve their skills, particularly the lowest skilled and those with literacy and numeracy problems. They share a level of trust with union members who would be embarrassed about admitting their learning needs to their employer.
	Following a consultation exercise in 2001, we introduced legislation to give Union Learning Representatives the same rights to paid time off for training and for carrying out their duties as those enjoyed by shop stewards and other union representatives at workplaces where a union is recognised for collective bargaining purposes. The legislation on Union Learning Representatives came into effect on 27 April along with the revised ACAS Code of Practice.
	Additional funding for Union Learning for the next two financial years, announced in the last budget, will help us continue to build on the positive contribution made by Union Learning Representatives.

Vocational Qualifications

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on measures to ensure that qualifications offered at apprenticeship, skilled craft and technician level are sufficient to meet the needs of business.

Ivan Lewis: The Government published its national Skills Strategy on 9 July in 21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential. It is a cross-Government strategy that sets out our approach to meeting skill needs, including making sure that qualifications are appropriate to the needs of businesses. There were frequent discussions between the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry during its development, and was a co-signatory to the White Paper published in July. This close involvement will continue in the implementation stage.
	At the heart of the strategy is a shared aim that learning programmes and the qualifications that accredit them will respond fully to the skill needs of employers. DTI are closely involved in the joint remit for improving vocational qualifications which is being taken forward by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the Learning and Skills Council and Sector Skills Development Agency. The high profile, business-led Modern Apprenticeship Task Force is taking a key role in promoting Modern Apprenticeships to employers, improving their quality and increasing take-up. Sir Robin Young, DTI Permanent Secretary, is a member of the Task Force. A close working relationship is also being established with DTI in promoting the development of foundation degrees to meet the growing demand for skills at the higher technical and associate professional level. The White Paper also set out the intention for the DTI to be joint sponsors of the Sector Skills Development Agency. All of this action demonstrates the close working relationships between the two Departments to ensure that qualifications are appropriate to the needs of employers.

Vocational Qualifications

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the level of qualifications at (a) apprenticeship, (b) skilled craft and (c) technician level held in (i) the UK and (ii) other European Union countries.

Ivan Lewis: While we compare well at higher education level, our percentage of the workforce qualified to intermediate skill levels (based upon qualifications gained at apprenticeship, skilled craft and technician level) is low: 28 per cent. in the UK compared to 51 per cent. in France and 65 per cent. in Germany. An EU wide comparison is not available.
	However, using a different measure the OECD estimates the proportion of adults (aged 25–64) who are qualified to upper secondary level (intermediate level education and based upon the highest level of education completed) in the UK is 63 per cent.. This is similar to France (64 per cent.) and the Netherlands (61 per cent.) but much lower than Germany (83 per cent.), Denmark (80 per cent.) or Sweden (81 per cent.). The UK however performs much better than Italy (44 per cent.) and Spain (40 per cent.).

Vocational Qualifications

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he is taking to encourage school leavers to seek qualifications at (a) apprenticeship, (b) skilled craft and (c) technician level.

Ivan Lewis: The Government are committed to ensuring that the work based learning route, and the qualifications and programmes within it (notably Modern Apprenticeships) will continue to deliver high quality, innovative provision, derived from and appropriate to the needs of the UK's industry and economy. The Government have detailed their vision for achievement in the recently published White Papers covering the development of 14–19 year olds and the Skills Strategy for 21st Century. These reveal the importance the Government are giving to vocational development from school to the workplace and the need for cohesion between education and the world of work to achieve the challenging target outlined in the reports. The Government launched a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Task Force, chaired by Sir Roy Gardner, in February 2003 to oversee and steer the promotion and integration of modern apprenticeships, including vocational qualifications, into the workplace. This Task Force will report regularly to Government on progress widening the choice for young people to take up modern apprenticeship opportunities.
	Connexions, the Government's front line support service for young people in England aged 13–19, offers teenagers integrated impartial advice and guidance on career paths and access to personal development opportunities based on the needs and aspirations of young people. This service enables young people to consider a full range of career options and make informed choices which include work-based provision.

HEALTH

Bivalve Molluscs

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of state funding for laboratories researching contamination of bivalve molluscs by (a) Novavirus and (b) hepatitis A virus.

Melanie Johnson: Since April 2000, the Food Standards Agency has spent £1.5 million on projects relating to the contamination of bivalve molluscs by Norovirus and Hepatitis A virus.

Medical Staff (Protection)

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what protection is afforded to nurses and other medical staff in the workplace from members of the public; what assistance is given by the police to hospitals and other medical treatment centres; and what recent measures he has introduced to improve co-operation.

John Hutton: Responsibility for tackling assaults against staff working in the National Health Service passed to the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) on 1 April 2003. During 2003–04, the CFSMS will be taking forward a number of initiatives to reduce the number of both physical and non-physical assaults. The CFSMS is currently developing:
	conflict resolution training for all frontline staff including nurses and general practitioners as a key preventative measure to reduce the number of incidents;
	a national and consistent reporting system to record incidents of physical assaults on staff, using a common definition, with the ability to track cases from report to conclusion. This will allow for intervention where appropriate in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the victim concerned and help increase the rate of offenders prosecuted;
	a consistent locally managed reporting system will be established to deal with non-physical assaults using the common law definition. Clear definitions of assault swill enable sanctions that are appropriate to the incident to be sought;
	a legal protection unit to provide health bodies with advice on cost-effective methods of pursuing a wide range of sanctions against offenders including criminal and civil action where appropriate;
	ways in which technology can be used to provide better protection for staff. This work is undertaken in co-operation with the Home Office;
	a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to ensure that a consistent national approach to reducing physical and non-physical assaults on staff is taken by both the NHS and the police.

Medical Staff (Protection)

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets were set in the Zero Tolerance campaign; what progress has been made; and how many targets have been met.

John Hutton: In 1999, in its "working together" framework, the Government set the National Health Service trusts three targets to reduce the number of incidents of violence against NHS staff:
	by April 2000, to have systems in place for recording incidents of violence to staff and publish strategies to achieve reductions in the levels of violence by: 20 per cent. by April 2001–02; and 30 per cent. by April 2003–04.
	A recent National Audit Office (NAO) report, "A safer place to Work — Protecting NHS Hospital and Ambulance Trust Staff from Violence and Aggression", reported that:
	around 90 per cent. of NHS trusts have violence policies and systems in place for recording incidents; and
	the majority of NHS trusts did not meet the 2001–02 target for reducing incidents by 20 per cent.
	The NAO acknowledged that the increase in reported violent and abusive incidents in the majority of NHS trusts was mainly due to improved reporting rates, generally among NHS staff and in particular increased reporting of verbal abuse. The NAO suggests in its report, and this appears to be reflected in the data held by the Health and Safety Executive, that levels of physical assaults are stabilising.
	Responsibility for tackling assaults against staff working in the NHS passed to the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) on 1 April 2003. During 2003–04, the CFSMS will be taking forward a number of initiatives to reduce the number of both physical and non-physical assaults. The CFSMS is currently developing:
	conflict resolution training for all frontline staff as a key preventive measure to reduce the number of incidents;
	a national and consistent reporting system to record incidents of physical assaults on staff, using a common definition, with the ability to track cases from report to conclusion. This will allow for intervention where appropriate in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the victim concerned and help increase the rate of offenders prosecuted;
	a consistent locally managed reporting system will be established to deal with non-physical assaults using the common law definition. Clear definitions of assault will enable sanctions that are appropriate to the incident to be sought;
	a legal protection unit to provide health bodies with advice on cost-effective methods of pursuing a wide range of sanctions against offenders, including criminal and civil action where appropriate;
	ways in which technology can be used to provide better protection for staff, working with the Home Office. One of the chosen test sites for the "Safer Hospitals" project as an ambulance trust;
	a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Chief Police Officers to ensure that a consistent national approach to reducing physical and non-physical assaults on staff is taken by both the NHS and the police.

Medical Staff (Protection)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of violence and abusive behaviour by NHS patients in England against NHS staff there were in 2001–02.

John Hutton: There were an estimated 112,000 1 reported violent or abusive incidents involving staff in national health service trusts and health authorities in England in 2001–2002.
	1 The 2001–02 total has been estimated to include organisations which did not provide figures and the results are based on surveys by the Department of Health and the National Audit Office.

Product Labelling

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to enable labelling of imported agricultural products produced to (a) animal welfare and (b) environmental care standards below those of the United Kingdom.

Melanie Johnson: Food labelling rules are set at European Union level; the Department is not aware of any plans to introduce new rules to cover animal welfare and environmental care standards. Information on these matters can be given voluntarily on labels so long as it is not false or misleading. The Food Standards Agency is encouraging industry to provide consumers with more information on food production standards, including animal welfare and environmental care standards.

Accident and Emergency Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to pilot the 'See & Treat' scheme at Royal Bournemouth Hospital at other hospital sites.

Rosie Winterton: Most accident and emergency (A&E) departments now have 'See & Treat' schemes in place, specifically to target patients with minor injuries and illnesses. The British Association for A&E Medicine and the Royal College of Nursing have endorsed it as an appropriate model of clinical care. The expectation is that 'See & Treat', or something similar, should be put in place in most trusts. However, it is the trusts' responsibility to decide if, when and how to implement.

Accident and Emergency Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has undertaken of the cost of implementing a 'See & Treat' scheme in A&E departments.

Rosie Winterton: There may be costs associated with the implementation of initiatives such as 'See & Treat', but any costs will depend on how an individual trust implements the scheme locally compared to its existing accident and emergency department procedures.

Accident and Emergency Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were admitted to NHS hospital wards from Accident and Emergency after being examined by a doctor in (a) one hour or less, (b) over two hours but less than three hours, (c) over three hours but less than four hours, (d) over four hours but less than five hours and (e) over five hours in (i) the last 12 months for which figures are available and (ii) 1997–98.

Rosie Winterton: The Department collects information on total time in accident and emergency (A&E) from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. Information is also collected and on waits for admission as an emergency via A&E from the point of decision to admit to admission. This information is published quarterly.
	Information is not collected on the time from a patient being first examined by a doctor to admission.

Accident and Emergency Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets he is planning to set for accident and emergency departments in the next year.

Rosie Winterton: In 2000, the NHS Plan set the challenging improvement target that no patient should spend more than four hours in an accident and emergency department from arrival to admission, transfer or departure by the end of 2004.
	Trusts will continue to be monitored on their progress towards this target, but there are no plans to set further targets for accident and emergency departments in the next year.

Accident and Emergency Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the method used for measuring accident and emergency targets in March.

Rosie Winterton: The Department set an internal milestone that 90 per cent. of patients in England should wait less than four hours in accident and emergency (A and E) departments by the end of March 2003.
	This was not a target but an interim milestone set to assess progress towards achieving the NHS Plan target to reduce the maximum time a patient should wait in A and E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge to four hours from December 2004.
	Performance against the milestone was measured using routine data trusts provide to the Department.

Adult/Adolescent Wards

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) adult and (b) adolescent wards were in operation in April in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: Central information is not collected specifically in relation to adult and adolescent wards. The average number of wards in England reported by national health service organisations is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Average number of wards 
		
		
			 2000–01 9,676 
			 2001–02 9,074 
			 2002–03 10,353 
		
	
	Before 1 April 2000, this data was not collected. These figures exclude units such as intensive treatment units, accident and emergency/admissions units, coronary care units, special care baby units, paediatric intensive care and day case wards.

Adult/Adolescent Wards

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mixed sex (a) adolescent and (b) adult wards there are in England.

John Hutton: The information is not available in the format requested.

Agency Staff

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the NHS on locum and other agency doctors in each of the past three years.

John Hutton: The information requested on locum doctors is not held centrally. Information on agency doctors is shown in the table.
	
		Expenditure on non-NHS medical staff by NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts—England
		
			  England total (£) 
		
		
			 1999–2000 106,125,019 
			 2000–01 138,342,148 
			 2001–02 197,775,563 
		
	
	Sources:
	1. Annual financial returns of NHS trusts
	2. Annual financial returns of health authorities
	3. Annual financial returns of primary care trusts

Agency Staff

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of agency nurses was in 2002 in each NHS region.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris) on 28 March 2003, Official Report, column 443W.

AIDS

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on AIDS research in each of the last six years.

Melanie Johnson: Funding for research on AIDS is provided from a number of different sources, including the Government, charities and industry. The Department of Health does not routinely collect information on all research expenditure. The figures shown in the table for estimated Government spend on research relating to AIDS are approximate.
	
		
			 Year £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 15.4 
			 1998–99 16.2 
			 1999–2000 20.2 
			 2000–01 22.9 
			 2001–02 20.4 
		
	
	A figure for 2002–03 is not yet available. The figure for 2000–01 is higher than the figure (£21.3 million) given the former Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Ms Blears) on 16 July 2002, Official Report, column 212W, as the estimate of spend that the Medical Research Council included in this earlier figure was provisional. The figures for all years include estimated spend by Department of Health national research programmes and arm's length bodies. Management of much of the research supported by National Health Service research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department. In addition to specific projects, the Department also provides support for research commissioned by charities and the research councils that takes place in the NHS. The total investment is therefore greater.

Allergies

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist allergy clinics there are in the NHS.

Stephen Ladyman: The Royal College of Physicians published their report 'Allergy the unmet need, A Blueprint for better patient care' on 25 June 2003. Their report refers to the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and British Allergy Foundation (BAF) respectively, who compiled a list of national health service allergy clinics which were NHS consultant-led and based at NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom.
	The subsequent BSACI handbook "National NHS Allergy Clinics" (2001) lists 86 NHS consultant led clinics in the UK. There were an additional 15 clinics run by NHS consultants identified by the British Allergy Foundation (BAF) in the handbook. Six of these 101 clinics offered services led by a whole-time specialist allergist.

Allergies

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have reported vacancies for allergy specialists.

John Hutton: The National Health Service vacancy survey collects information on the number of posts which trusts are actively trying to fill which have been vacant for three months or more. As at 31 March 2003, there was one three month consultant vacancy in allergy in England.

Allergies

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many allergy sufferers are on waiting lists for NHS treatments.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not centrally collected. Waiting list data are collected according to the type of specialist the patient is due to see and therefore the number of allergy sufferers waiting for treatment are not separately identifiable as they may be included in a range of specialist waiting lists. However, all patients for consultant led hospital treatment, including those with allergies, are benefiting from shorter maximum waiting times.

Allograft Implants

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of people in England receiving allograft implants were subsequently infected with (a) Hepatitis and (b) HIV in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The percentage of people in England receiving allograft implants subsequently infected with hepatitis or HIV is not recorded nationally as part of the routing follow-up post transplant.
	Donor screening procedures as advised by the Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplant (MSBT) are very effective and all transplant co-ordinators are required to ensure all the relevant data are collected and screening tests performed. This information is double-checked by the UK Transplant duty office. As a result there have been very few recorded cases of transmission of any of the serious blood borne viruses.

Alternative Medicine

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Awards run by his Department.

Melanie Johnson: The awards made in the first round of the scheme were announced on 17 April 2003. The total value of these awards exceeds £1.3 million. Details of the operation and timing of the next round have not yet been determined.

Alzheimer's Disease

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into a possible connection between Alzheimer's disease and obesity.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has not undertaken any research into a possible connection between Alzheimer's disease and obesity.
	The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, which receives its grant in aid from the Office of Science and Technology.
	The MRC is not currently undertaking any research into a possible connection between Alzheimer's disease and obesity. However, it is funding research into dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease) and also funding research into nutrition.

Ambulance Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 999 calls were made to the Greater London Ambulance Service in the last 12 months for which figures are available for which a police presence was also provided; and what criteria are used to decide whether a police presence is required to an ambulance call-out.

John Hutton: This information is not held centrally. The London Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust (LAS) does not routinely collect this information. The LAS informs me that the decision whether to call police for assistance is made either by control room staff or by ambulance crews using information on the nature of the call.

Ambulance Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 999 calls were made to the Greater London Ambulance Service over the last 12 months for which figures are available for which it was decided an ambulance was not necessary; and what proportion of calls over this period such calls represented.

John Hutton: This information is not centrally held.

Ambulance Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulance call-outs were made in the last 12 months for which figures are available in (a) Essex and (b) England; and what average length of time it took for ambulances to reach (a) the patient and (b) the hospital to which the patient needed to be taken.

Rosie Winterton: The latest information about the proportion of emergency calls resulting in an ambulance arriving at the scene of the reported incident, within the Government's target response times for Essex and all other ambulance trusts, is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, "Ambulance Services, England 2002–03".
	Copies of the bulletin have been placed in the Library and are also available at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm.
	Information on the average length of time taken for ambulances to reach the hospital to which the patient needed to be taken is not collected centrally.

Ambulance Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of ambulance response times meet the eight minute target; and how many met the target in 2001–02, broken down by trust.

Rosie Winterton: The latest information about the proportion of emergency calls resulting in an ambulance arriving at the scene of the reported incident within the Government's target response times for all other ambulance trusts, is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin "Ambulance Services, England 2002–03".
	Copies of the bulletin are available in the Library and also at: www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313h

Ambulance Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the performance targets set by his Department for ambulance services.

Rosie Winterton: Ambulance national health service trusts should respond to 75 per cent. of category A (life threatening) calls within eight minutes. All other emergency calls should be responded to 95 per cent. of the time within 14 minutes in urban areas and 19 minutes in rural areas.
	Information about ambulance services response times are collected each year by the Department and published annually. The latest information shows that nationally 74.6 per cent. of category A calls resulted in an emergency response arriving at the scene of the incident within 8 minutes compared to 70.7 per cent. in 2001–02. Further information is contained in the Department of Health statistical bulletin Ambulance Services, England 2002–03.
	A copy is available in the Library and also on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm.

Ambulance Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of speed restrictions on ambulance response times.

Rosie Winterton: No national studies have taken place on the effect of speed restrictions on ambulance response times.
	Drivers of ambulance vehicles can claim exemptions from some of the provisions of various Road Traffic Acts and Regulations—including speed restrictions—where it hinders them from responding to a life threatening emergency call.

Ambulance Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) emergency vehicles and (b) vehicles for non-emergency services were in service with each NHS ambulance trust in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Ambulance Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to protect ambulance staff from aggressive behaviour by patients.

Rosie Winterton: The Government are determined to tackle the assaults and intimidation that too many national health service staff face. As part of the work previously carried out under the NHS zero tolerance zone campaign, specific guidance to support managers and staff working in ambulance trusts, "Managing Violence in Ambulance Trusts", was issued by the Department of Health.
	Responsibility for tackling assaults against staff working in the NHS passed to the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) on 1 April 2003. During 2003–04 the CFSMS will be taking forward a number of initiatives to reduce the number of both physical and non-physical assaults. The CFSMS is currently developing;
	conflict resolution training for all frontline staff including ambulance staff as a key preventative measure to reduce the number of incidents;
	a national and consistent reporting system to record incidents of physical assaults on staff, using a common definition, with the ability to track cases from report to conclusion. This will allow for intervention where appropriate in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the victim concerned and help increase the rate of offenders prosecuted;
	a consistent locally managed reporting system will be established to deal with non-physical assaults using the common law definition. Clear definitions of assault will enable sanctions that are appropriate to the incident to be sought;
	a legal protection unit to provide health bodies with advice on cost-effective methods of pursuing a wide range of sanctions against offenders including criminal and civil action where appropriate;
	ways in which technology can be used to provide better protection for staff. This work is undertaken in co-operation with the Home Office. One of the chosen test sites for the "Safer Hospitals" project is an ambulance trust;
	a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to ensure that a consistent national approach to reducing physical and non-physical assaults on staff is taken by both the NHS and the police.

Anaemia

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of people in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland are anaemic.

Melanie Johnson: Information on the percentage of people in England who are anaemic was last collected for the Health Survey for England in 1994 1 . The data indicated that 4.1 per cent. of men and 10.8 per cent. of women aged 16 and over were classified as anaemic using the World Health Organisation definition of anaemia, that is that haemoglobin levels of less than 13g/dl (grams per decilitre) for men and 12g/dl for women.
	Information on the percentage of people who are anaemic in Scotland and Wales can be obtained from the devolved administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.
	1 Ref: Health Survey for England 1994 eds. Colhoun, H. and Prescott-Clarke, P. ISBN 011 321 895

Anaemia

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the UK are needlephobic; and what assessment he has made of the need for a needle-free anaemia testing device.

Rosie Winterton: The Department of Health has not made an assessment of the numbers of people in the United Kingdom with a needle phobia or the need for a needle-free anaemia testing device.

Angina

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the total cost to the NHS of treating patients with chest-pain caused by angina in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: No information is held centrally concerning the total cost to the national health service of treating patients with chest-pain caused by angina.

Angina

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the English population suffers from angina.

Melanie Johnson: Nationally representative figures on the prevalence of heart disease and its risk factors are available from the Health Survey for England. The most recent estimates of the prevalence of angina were published in The Health Survey for England—Cardiovascular Disease 1998 table 2.1, a copy of which is available in the Library.

Angina

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to reduce the need for hospital treatment for patients suffering from angina.

Melanie Johnson: Patients are usually treated with medical therapy or in more serious cases, surgical revascularisation to relieve symptoms of angina. The national service framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease (CHD) recommends patients receive the following medical therapy:
	sublingual nitrates for immediate treatment control
	beta-blockers, nitrates or calcium antagonists
	aspirin
	statins to reduce cholesterol levels.
	Spending on statins has risen from £170 million in 1998 to £552 million in 2002.
	The Priorities and Planning Framework requires that primary care, update practice-based registers so that patients with CHD continue to receive appropriate advice and treatment in line with NSF standards and by March 2006, ensure practice based registers and systematic treatment regimes, including appropriate advice on diet, physical activity and smoking.
	At the same time the Government have been engaged in a wide ranging programme to prevent heart disease, including action on smoking, free fruit in schools and physical activity.

Arthritis

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts have not yet implemented in full the NICE guidance on anti-TNF therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the number of primary care trusts (PCTs) making anti-TNF therapy available to patients is not collected centrally. Funding to meet the recommendations of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been included in the allocations made to PCTs over the period 2003–04 to 2005–06.

Arthritis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients within the Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT area have been prescribed anti-TNF treatment for severe arthritis in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not held centrally on the number of patients who have been prescribed anti-TNF drugs (Etanercept and Infliximab). Information is available on the number of prescription items of drugs that are dispensed in the community in England. The use of anti-TNF drugs in the community is negligible, but they are used extensively in hospitals. Although negligible, details of these anti-TNF drugs (contained in the British National Formulary paragraph 10.1.3) are included in the Prescription Cost Analysis publication, which can be accessed at http//www.doh.gov.uk/prescriptionstatistics/index.htm.
	Information is not held centrally about drugs prescribed and dispensed in hospitals.

Arthritis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many severe arthritis sufferers there are within the Adur, Arun and Worthing primary care trust area.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the incidence of individual conditions is not collected centrally.

Arthritis

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts have made TNFa available to arthritis sufferers in 2002–03; and if he will list them.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the number of primary care trusts making anti-TNF therapy available to patients in 2002–03 is not collected centrally.

Arthritis

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to primary care trusts to implement the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on TNFa therapy.

Stephen Ladyman: Funding to meet recommendations of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been included in the allocations made to primary care trusts for the period 2003–04 to 2005–06.

Asthma

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffer from asthma and how many suffered from asthma in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the incidence of individual conditions is not held centrally. It is estimated, however, that asthma affects around 4 per cent. of adults and 4 to 6 per cent. of children sufficiently severely to require medical supervision. This amounts to around 2 million people in England.
	Hospital Episode Statistics data, based on finished consultant episodes (FCEs), show a decline in the number of people who were admitted to hospital between 1997–2002. This information is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Admissions 71,434 69,824 66,054 60,376 60,134 
		
	
	Note:An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one healthcare provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may several episodes within the year.

Asthma

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into the relationship between lifestyle and (a) asthma and (b) diabetes.

Melanie Johnson: The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, which receives its grant in aid from the Office of Science and Technology. The Department of Health funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service.
	The lifestyle factors that interact with asthma will be very different for different people and will also change through an individual's life. In 2001–02 the MRC spent £0.3 million on research relating to lifestyle and asthma. The Department is funding research on air pollution and asthma, and a project on the effect of a low allergen indoor environment on exacerbations of asthma.
	The importance of healthy lifestyle choices for avoiding or delaying the onset of diabetes and its complications is well established. In 2001–02 the MRC spent £2.7 million on a wide range of research relating to lifestyle and diabetes. The Department and the MRC worked together with Diabetes UK and the Wellcome Trust on the "Review of Current and Future Research on Diabetes", published in October 2002. The review identified a need for genetics and molecular biology to be brought into large-scale epidemiological studies, with definition of lifestyle and environmental factors. A Department led task group with participation from the MRC, Diabetes UK and others has been established to determine how best to take forward the proposals in the review.
	The Department, MRC and the Wellcome Trust are to provide an initial £61 million to support the development of the UK Biobank project. This project aims to obtain comprehensive data on the combined effects of genotype, lifestyle and environmental exposure to assess the risk of developing the common multi-factorial diseases of later life, including diabetes.

Autism

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what day care facilities are available to those suffering from autism; and if he will make a statement on the importance of interaction to autism sufferers.

Stephen Ladyman: Many people with autism also have a learning disability and may make use of learning disability day care services. Where people on the autistic spectrum have mental health problems, they may find mental health day care services helpful. Adults with Asperger's Syndrome or higher functioning autism are not precluded from using learning disability services, where appropriate, and may ask statutory services for an assessment of their social functioning and communications skills in order to establish their level of need.

Autism

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is given to carers of autistic children; what other support services are available; and on what wage levels carers are placed.

Stephen Ladyman: The Learning Disability White Paper, "Valuing People" (Cm 5086), published in March 2001, details training and qualification requirements for staff working with adults and children who have both autism and learning disability. It states that, from April 2002, all new entrants to learning disability care services should be registered for qualification on the learning disability awards framework (LDAF) and that by 2005, 50 per cent. of front-line staff should have achieved at least National Vocational Qualification Level 2.
	The LDAF contains two vocational qualifications—a level 2 certificate and a level 3 certificate in working with people with learning disabilities. Both these certificates include a module about autism. The LDAF modules can be used as part of the induction and foundation training that new care staff should undertake.
	Parent carers of autistic children receive help from local authorities (under section 17 of The Children Act) and the National Health Service on how best they can support their child. This could include skills training, both on an individual basis and in groups. Much of this support is provided in partnership with parents in their own homes and takes into account the family's individual circumstances. Other support available includes the National Autistic Society's "Help" programme, which offers training to parents in caring for their newly diagnosed autistic children. The Government helped to fund the development of this programme.
	Carers of people with autism may be employed by local authorities, local or national voluntary sector organisations such as the National Autistic Society and the Disabilities Trust or private sector care providers. The wage levels of paid carers are a matter for individual employers and would take account of the grade and experience of the individual staff.

Autism

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission an economic analysis of the (a) cost in public funds of treatment of autism and the (b) benefits of funding preventative support services for people with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

Stephen Ladyman: We have no plans to commission an economic analysis of the costs associated with autism. A paper on this subject in 2001 by Jarbrink and Knapp ("Autism" Vol 5(1) pp 7–22) gives estimates of the costs of autism and points up the long-term cost-effectiveness of early interventions. Early diagnosis and early intervention are key issues being addressed as part of the development of the children's national service framework (NSF), which will set national standards for health and social services departments. We have already announced that autism will be used as an exemplar in the NSF. This is being informed by the National Autism Plan for Children which was published in March.

Babies

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the possible health risks associated with parents falling asleep in bed with their babies or young infants.

Stephen Ladyman: There is an association between parents falling asleep in bed with their babies and the tragic occurrence of cot death. The Department has issued guidance which addresses this hazard, details of which are available at http://www.doh.gov.uk/cotdeath/. There is also the possibility that an adult may roll over while asleep and smother their baby, or that the baby might fall from the bed and so be injured. The Child Accident Prevention Trust—a voluntary organisation which receives grant aid from the Department of Health—has issued guidance entitled "Keep your Baby Safe". This addresses health risks associated with parents falling asleep with their babies.

Babies

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary o f State for Health pursuant to his answer of 8 May, Official Report, column 866W, on baby vaccines, if he will publish the responses to the letters of 1 April from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to UK vaccine marketing authorisation holders asking for an update on progress in reducing or removing thiomersal from vaccines.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer on 3 July
	The information provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is commercially sensitive and its confidentiality is guaranteed by The Medicines Act 1968. The Medicines Act 1968. The MHRA cannot publish the manufacturers' responses (which are still being received). The MHRA is continuing to work with the vaccine manufacturers to make every effort to remove or reduce the thiomersal component present in vaccines, including those used in the childhood immunisation programme. The only vaccine routinely administered to babies in the UK which contains thiomersal is diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis (DTwP). MMR HiB, oral polio and meningitis C vaccines used in the UK childhood vaccination programme are all thiomersal free.

Bilateral Health Arrangements

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the non-EEA countries and territories with which the UK has bilateral health arrangements.

John Hutton: A full list of the non-EEA countries and territories with which the United Kingdom has bilateral health arrangements is given in pages 28–31 of the Department of Health leaflet "Health Advice for Travellers", which is available in the Library together with information on the services available free or at reduced cost in each of the countries or territories concerned.

Blood Pressure

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government has to publicise information on blood pressure.

Melanie Johnson: High blood pressure—hypertension—is a major risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease and other illnesses such as kidney disease and aortic aneurysm.
	Blood pressure is part of the core data collected each year by the Health Survey for England. Tables on trends in blood pressure are updated each year and released on the Department of Health website. At the same time a main report is published together with a summary of Key Findings. For 2002 the report will focus on the health of children and young people and will include a section on blood pressure. Publication of the report for the 2002 survey is expected at the end of this year.
	In order to increase public awareness of hypertension and its attendant risks, as well as the importance of prevention and early detection, the Department of Health provided funding in 2002 for the Blood Pressure Association's "National Blood Pressure Testing Week". With 100,000 people tested at 1,350 blood pressure testing stations nation-wide, the purpose of the campaign is to raise public awareness of high blood pressure and encourage everyone to know their own blood pressure numbers. The Department of Health is also supporting the 3rd National Blood Pressure Testing Week (15–21 September 2003).
	In his Annual Report for 2002 on the state of the public health the Chief Medical Officer reviewed progress in the area of high blood pressure, which was one of the five areas covered in his 2001 report.
	Prevention of hypertension through a healthy lifestyle, including diet and physical activity is key. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a consumer leaflet designed to raise awareness of salt intake, how to cut down on salt and the health benefits of reducing salt in the diet. The FSA regularly publishes a range of surveys and a survey showing the salt levels in certain food products will be published later this year.

Bone Injuries

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in England on the prevention of (a) all injuries as a result of a fall, (b) hip fractures and (c) osteoporosis among older people in the last 12 months.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available centrally.

Bovine Derivative Bone Grafts

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of people in England receiving bovine derivative bone grafts subsequently contracted BSE or CJD.

Melanie Johnson: In England only one patient with CJD is known to have had a bone graft. The graft was derived from the patient's own bone and was not bovine derived.

Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled at Broomfield hospital, Chelmsford in the last available quarter; and what percentage of the cancelled operations were consequently carried out within four weeks.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not collected for individual hospital sites. Broomfield hospital is part of Mid-Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust. The number of last minute cancellations for non-medical reasons at Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust in the period January to March 2003 was 174. Information is not collected on the proportion of these cancellations that were consequently carried out within four weeks.

Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mixed sex wards and wards have been artificially divided into single-sex bays at Broomfield hospital, Chelmsford.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is not available in the format requested. Ward level data are not collected.
	The Department of Health has set three objectives to support the elimination of mixed sex accommodation with a deadline of December 2002, designed to deliver separate sleeping areas, separate toilet and washing facilities and safe facilities for the mentally ill. That deadline has now been reached and today over 98 per cent. of wards across the national health service meet these standards. Given that there are some 10,000 wards in use, this is a significant achievement. A number of new hospitals and health care facilities are currently in construction, which will ultimately bring all wards to the required standards.

Cancer

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed directly in the management of cancer within the NHS.

John Hutton: Of the staff directly involved in the management of cancer, the workforce census only separately identifies the medical specialties in the cancer group.
	The specialties included in the cancer group are clinical oncology, clinical radiology, haematology, histopathology, palliative medicine and medical oncology. As at 31 March 2003, there were 4,059 hospital medical consultants within the cancer group in England. This represents an increase of 29 per cent. since September 1997.

Cancer

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the quality of care cancer patients receive from the NHS.

Melanie Johnson: Some of the cancer research funded by Government (an estimated total of £190 million in 2001–01) is on quality of cancer care. The National Health Service Research and Development Programme on Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) is currently commissioning projects on the evaluation of cancer services quality with an expected total value of around £0.6 million. The SDO Programme is also funding a £0.4 million project studying patient experience of cancer services. The NHS R&D Health Technology Assessment Programme commissions research on the comparative clinical effectiveness of interventions in cancer care.
	The NHS Plan set out the intention to make available authoritative, evidence-based guidance on all aspects of NHS cancer care. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence was therefore asked to build on the existing cancer service guidance programme by commissioning a comprehensive package of guidance for cancer services covering all cancers. The Department's policy research programme has funded the evidence-based reviews underpinning the development of this guidance.
	The findings of the National Cancer Patients Survey were published in July 2002, with 65,500 responses covering all 172 NHS trusts in England with eligible patients agreed to participate in the survey. In this, patients were commenting on treatment they received between July 1999 and June 2000—before publication of the NHS Cancer Plan in September 2000. The survey provides a benchmark against which implementation of the National Cancer Plan can be monitored.

Cancer

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time cancer specialists were working in the NHS, broken down by speciality, in each of the last six years.

John Hutton: The table shows the number of hospital medical staff within the cancer group specialties, with full-time contracts for the last six years. Only consultant data are available for March 2003.
	
		Hospital medical staff within the six main cancer specialties by nature of contract
		
			  All staff  Of which: Consultant 
			 England All contracts Full-time All contracts Full-time 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1997 
			 All main cancer specialties 5,180 3,978 3,155 2,530 
			 Of which: 
			 Clinical oncology 647 501 287 231 
			 Clinical radiology 2,014 1,718 1,442 1,238 
			 Haematology 1,026 733 488 393 
			 Histopathology 1,027 770 769 581 
			 Medical oncology 271 160 89 42 
			 Palliative medicine 195 96 80 45 
			  
			 1998 
			 All main cancer specialties 5,350 4,208 3,273 2,617 
			 of which: 
			 Clinical oncology 676 540 299 246 
			 Clinical radiology 2,075 1,752 1,481 1,252 
			 Haematology 969 736 478 381 
			 Histopathology 1,100 853 828 635 
			 Medical oncology 327 221 102 57 
			 Palliative medicine 203 106 85 46 
			   
			 1999 
			 All main cancer specialties 5,688 4,488 3,362 2,698 
			 Of which: 
			 Clinical oncology 698 560 305 248 
			 Clinical radiology 2,164 1,842 1,507 1,269 
			 Haematology 1,102 800 510 404 
			 Histopathology 1,129 896 836 654 
			 Medical oncology 375 278 110 69 
			 Palliative medicine 220 112 94 54 
			  
			 2000 
			 All main cancer specialties 5,955 4,669 3,528 2,770 
			 Of which: 
			 Clinical oncology 711 572 307 248 
			 Clinical radiology 2,303 1,923 1,585 1,297 
			 Haematology 1,080 778 527 413 
			 Histopathology 1,199 957 865 671 
			 Medical oncology 404 292 133 77 
			 Palliative medicine 258 147 111 64 
			  
			 2001 
			 All main cancer specialties 6,375 4,983 3,721 2,848 
			 Of which: 
			 Clinical oncology 776 631 333 260 
			 Clinical radiology 2,454 2,026 1,645 1,305 
			 Haematology 1,134 825 556 420 
			 Histopathology 1,291 1,044 915 705 
			 Medical oncology 435 301 147 90 
			 Palliative medicine 285 156 125 68 
			  
			 2002 
			 All main cancer specialties 6,706 5,227 3,913 2,929 
			 Of which: 
			 Clinical oncology 785 638 315 237 
			 Clinical radiology 2,538 2,063 1,702 1,326 
			 Haematology 1,150 847 588 429 
			 Histopathology 1,374 1,117 968 745 
			 Medical oncology 504 355 185 103 
			 Palliative medicine 355 207 155 89 
			  
			 March 2003 
			 All main cancer specialties (34)— (34)— 4,059 3,059 
			 Of which: 
			 Clinical oncology (34)— (34)— 366 265 
			 Clinical radiology (34)— (34)— 1,781 1,401 
			 Haematology (34)— (34)— 598 437 
			 Histopathology (34)— (34)— 994 783 
			 Medical oncology (34)— (34)— 172 94 
			 Palliative medicine (34)— (34)— 148 79 
		
	
	(34) Not available. 2003 data are taken from the medical and dental work force mini census, which only counted consultants.
	Note:
	1997 to 2002 data as at 30 September and 2003 data as at 31 March.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental work force census.

Care Homes

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing care and residential care beds were provided by local authorities in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The latest available information on the number of nursing and residential care home places provided by local authorities in each year since 1997 is shown in the table.
	
		Residential and nursing care home places by type of home, England 1997–2001—England, as at 31 March -- Rounded numbers
		
			  Number of places 
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Residential care 
			 LA staffed 65,820 63,980 59,030 55,460 50,860 
			 Independent(35) 246,550 252,810 252,290 253,360 252,380 
			   
			 Nursing care  
			 Independent(36) 196,270 205,590 202,150 193,330 186,830 
			   
			 Dual registered 25,770 31,120 32,720 37,090 37,940 
			   
			 Total all homes 534,410 553,490 546,190 539,240 528,000 
		
	
	(35) Includes places in voluntary, private and small residential homes.
	(36) Places include beds in general and mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics.
	Source:
	RA form A and KO36, RH(N) forms, Department of Health.

Care Homes

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of care home beds in Essex.

Stephen Ladyman: The latest available information on the number of care home beds in Essex is shown in the table.
	
		Care home beds in Essex 1999–2001
		
			 Essex Area(37) (38)Total number of care home places 
		
		
			 As at 31 March  
			 1999 14,730 
			 2000 14,200 
			 2001 14,230 
		
	
	(37) Care home places in nursing homes in North and South Essex health authorities and residential homes in Essex shire county and Southend and Thurrock unitary authorities.
	(38) Total includes places in residential LA staffed, independent and dual registered homes, and beds in general and mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics.
	Source:
	RA Form A and RH(N) forms, Department of Health

Care Homes

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care home beds there are in (a) Greater London and (b) England.

Stephen Ladyman: The latest available information on the number of care home places in Greater London and England as at 31 March 2001 is shown in the table.
	
		Number of care home places in London(39) and England (rounded numbers)
		
			 As at 31 March 2001 Total number of care home places(40) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 England 528,000 
			 London 47,430 
		
	
	(39) All residential homes in councils with social services responsibilities in inner and Outer London and all nursing homes in Health Authorities within London.
	(40) Includes places in residential LA staffed, independent and dual registered homes and beds in general and mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics.

Chelmsford Primary Care Trust

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the prescribing budget is for the Chelmsford Primary Care Trust for the financial year 2002–03.

Stephen Ladyman: Audited information in respect of the annual financial position of all national health service organisations must be published in their individual annual accounts and should be available centrally in autumn of each year.
	I understand that Chelmsford Primary Care Trust has already made public that it has allocated £13.664 million from its 2002–03 unified budget towards the anticipated cost of prescribing for its general practitioners.

Chelmsford Primary Care Trust

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what accumulated deficit has been identified by the Chelmsford Primary Care Trust for (a) the financial year 2002–03 and (b) the current financial year.

Stephen Ladyman: Audited information in respect of the annual financial position of all national health service organisations must be published in their individual annual accounts and should be available centrally in autumn of each year.
	I understand that Chelmsford Primary Care Trust has already made public that it has identified a deficit of £805,000 for the financial year 2002–03 and the deficit for the first quarter of 2003–04 is £228,000.

Chelmsford Primary Care Trust

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps will be taken to comply with Lord Laming's recommendations on child protection when formulating future star ratings for (a) hospital trusts, (b) primary care trusts and (c) mental health trusts.

Rosie Winterton: The Government's response to the Victoria Climbié Inquiry report, to be published later this year, will set out the situation on performance assessment in the national health service.

Chelmsford Primary Care Trust

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all NHS trusts offer to their nurses and key workers access to expert child protection advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and what mechanisms his Department has put in place to ensure that this requirement is being met.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not collected centrally. However, I have asked the Commission for Health Improvement to assess child protection arrangements in the national health service and to report on the strengths and weaknesses of existing NHS arrangements.

Chlamydia/HIV

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is undertaking into the links between HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns and education and the incidence of chlamydia in young people.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health contributes £1 million annually to support a national programme of Sexual Health and HIV research which informs our work to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The current programme does not include specific research into links between HIV and AIDS awareness and the incidence of chlamydia, although we do know that the widespread HIV prevention campaigns of the 1980s did lead to a reduction in the prevalence of many other STIs. Our regular surveys which measure the impact of the Teenage Pregnancy campaign, also provide data on the awareness of STIs among young people. This shows that awareness of HIV is high among this group and that awareness of chlamydia is increasing, possibly as a result of increased publicity on the subject, such as the Government's 'Sex lottery' campaign.

Chlamydia/HIV

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women were tested for (a) chlamydia and (b) HIV in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health does not hold central data on the total number of men and women who have undergone testing for chlamydia. We do, however, hold data on those who have tested and received a positive result.
	
		
			 Year Male Female 
		
		
			 1998 18,937 24,975 
			 1999 21,808 29,196 
			 2000 26,632 34,815 
			 2001 29,602 38,644 
			 2002 34,341 43,796 
		
	
	Source:Health Protection Agency
	Estimates for the number of men and women tested for chlamydia through GUM Clinics, General Practitioners or Antenatal Care Providers in England between 1997 and 2002 are shown in the table. Note that data on antenatal testing of women are available only from 2000.
	
		
			 Year Male Female 
		
		
			 1997(41) 75,113 60,020 
			 1998(41) 79,665 63,998 
			 1999(41) 81,842 65,614 
			 2000(42) 93,262 345,083 
			 2001(42) 122,178 473,321 
			 2002 161,911 544,466 
		
	
	In addition, all blood donations are screened for HIV and in the table below are the estimates of the numbers of the donations screened for both men and women.
	
		
			 Year Total 
		
		
			 1997 3,040,022 
			 1998 2,864,483 
			 1999 2,922,045 
			 2000 2,903,565 
			 2001 2,849,740 
			 2002 2,844,465 
		
	
	Notes:
	(41) Data from Genitourinary clinics and general practitioners only.
	(42) Includes preliminary unpublished data from the "National Survey of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood", source: Institute of Child Health.
	Source:
	In calculating these estimates, data from the following surveys were used: denominator survey (CDSC) to provide GP testing estimates, KC60 (CDSC) to provide GUM testing estimates, National survey of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood (ICH) to provide Antenatal testing estimates.

Cholesterol

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the measurement of cholesterol in the over-50s.

Melanie Johnson: The planning and priorities framework, "Improving, Expansion and Reform", which sets out priorities for the next three years for the national health service, includes a target for practice based registers to ensure that patients with, or at high risk of, coronary heart disease and diabetes receive appropriate care and treatment in line with national service framework standards, including advice on diet, physical activity and smoking. Patients at risk of coronary heart disease include those with hypertension, diabetes and who are obese.
	The quality and outcomes framework within the new general medical services contract, being introduced from 1 April 2004, will reward general practitioners who monitor, and can demonstrate control of, the cholesterol level of patients suffering from chronic heart disease.

Clinical Data

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospital files holding clinical data on patients (a) went missing temporarily and (b) were lost in each year since 1995.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available. The Department of Health does not monitor or gather statistics on the management of clinical records in National Health Service hospitals and trusts and consequently has no record of numbers of files temporarily missing or lost.
	Each NHS trust and strategic health authority is legally responsible for managing its own records and complying with legislation and guidance relating to the clinical data they collect on patients.
	In the NHS, guidance and governance arrangements have been designed to assure compliance with law and good practice, while minimising the overheads of managing and auditing detailed procedures. Independent authorities, such as the Audit Commission, Health Service Commissioner and Information Commissioner, oversee the governance arrangements and may impose sanctions where there is a significant failure to comply.

Commission for Health Improvement

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which languages the patient surveys issued by the Commission for Health Improvement were published.

Rosie Winterton: It is not possible to identify from patient records what language a patient speaks. Therefore the initial contact has to be in English. Survey guidance for trusts points to a range of options for helping patients whose first language is not English.

Community Health Councils

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with staff working at Community Health Councils on the closure of such health councils.

Rosie Winterton: The closure of Community Health Councils (CHCs) was first announced in the NHS Plan in July 2000. Since then, this subject has formed part of the discussions Ministers have had with CHC staff and members as part of various visits around the country and there have been meetings with Stakeholder groups, including the Association of Community Health Council in England and Wales and trades unions. Officials in the Department of Health have had similar meetings and local employers and CHC leads have held open meetings to discuss the closure with staff and members.

Community Health Councils

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Community Health Councils will be closed in England.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 4 June 2003, Official Report, columns 22–23WS. It is still our intention to abolish Community Health Councils on 1 December 2003.

Community Health Councils

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have taken place on the redundancy payments staff will receive when community health councils are closed.

Rosie Winterton: I met with trade unions representing Community Health Council (CHC) staff on 16 July to discuss staffing issues and also received feedback from a meeting held recently with key stakeholders, including CHC staff, members of the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales, the Council for Patient and Public Involvement in Health and the trades unions.
	Officials have worked with the trade unions and a revised human resources framework for CHC staff was issued on 25 July. This document, which was jointly with Unison and Amicus-MSF, covers not only the issue of redundancy but also the support and advice that is available to CHC staff to help them secure alternative posts within the National Health Service. It is hoped that this will address some of the concerns and anxieties raised.

Community Health Councils

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to keep Community Health Councils operational after 1 December 2003.

Rosie Winterton: It is still our intention to abolish Community Health Councils on 1 December 2003.

Community Health Councils

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Community Health Councils have had to leave their previous premises because of the decision to keep CHCs operational until December.

Rosie Winterton: To date, no Community Health Councils (CHCs) have had to leave their premises specifically because of the decision to keep CHCs operational until 1 December. However, it is estimated that about 56 CHCs will need to leave their current premises before the abolition date for reasons including the cost of extending the lease arrangements where previous notice had been given. Decisions will be based on local circumstances and suitable alternative arrangements will be discussed with local CHC staff and members.

Community Health Councils

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters his Department has received opposing the abolition of community health councils; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Since the abolition of community health councils was first announced in the NHS plan in July 2000 the Department has received many letters commenting on this issue. However, owing to the volume of correspondence which the Department receives and the way in which that correspondence is filed, the information cold be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Congestion Charge

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters he has received from health service personnel concerning the Central London congestion charge since the charge began.

John Hutton: The Department has received three letters from national health service professionals about the impact of the congestion charge since the charge began.

Congestion Charge

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of congestion charging in Central London on (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) consultants, (d) paramedics and (e) ancillary staff.

John Hutton: The congestion charging scheme includes a number of measures to minimise the impact of congestion charging on National Health Service staff. This includes:
	Exemption of NHS vehicles currently exempt from vehicle excise duty, including ambulances and paramedic vehicles.
	A provision to reimburse journeys by NHS staff required to carry specified items, such as controlled drugs or confidential information, as part of their operational duties, that should not be transported on public transport.
	A provision to reimburse journeys by NHS staff for the purpose of providing emergency on-call services.
	The NHS steering group on this issue will shortly by writing to all NHS organisations to ask for data relating to the impact of the scheme for the period 17 February to 17 August. This data will be collated through the steering group and it will report on the outcome of this review in September.

Consultants

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in consultant recruitment in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: As at 31 March 2003 there were 28,024 consultants working in the national health service. This represents an increase of 1,580 or 6.0 per cent. since March 2002. Between September 1997 and March 2003 there has been a 31 per cent. increase in the number of consultants.
	From March 2002 to date, 179 consultants have been recruited through the Department of Health's international recruitment campaign.

Consultants

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) Mid-Essex Hospital NHS Trust and (b) Greater London have been waiting more than 13 weeks to see a consultant.

John Hutton: The information is shown in the table.
	
		Patients who are waiting over 13 weeks for a first consultant out-patient appointment following G(D)P written referral: Position at 31 March 2003
		
			 Organisation Number 
		
		
			 Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 450 
			   
			 North West London HA 3,818 
			 North Central London HA 5,040 
			 North East London HA 7,860 
			 South East London HA 4,556 
			 South West London HA 3,056 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08

Consultants

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for consultants in the last year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: The Department of Health does not collect information on individual vacancies. The national health service vacancy survey collects information on the number of posts which trusts are actively trying to fill which have been vacant for three months or more.
	As at 31 March 2003, the three month vacancy rate for consultants was 4.7 per cent.

Paddington Health Campus

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated completion date is of the proposed Paddington Health Campus.

John Hutton: The Paddington Health Campus is expected to be a project that will take a decade to fully complete, though patients will be using the facilities from 2009–10.

Coronary Heart Disease

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England suffer from coronary heart disease; and what proportion of the overall population these represent.

Melanie Johnson: Nationally representative figures on the prevalence of heart disease and its risk factors are available from the Health Survey for England. Although the definition of coronary heart disease as such is not used in the Health Survey for England, the survey reports the prevalence of ischaemic heart disease which is defined as ever having angina or a heart attack, confirmed by a doctor. The most recent estimates of the prevalence of ischaemic heart disease were published in "The Health Survey for England—Cardiovascular Disease 1998", table 2.2, a copy of which is available in the Library.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken by his Department in the last 12 months (a) to increase awareness about and (b) to reduce the number of people who suffer from deep vein thrombosis.

Melanie Johnson: In 2001 the Department of Health issued information and advice to the airlines and the public about minimising the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during long journeys. This included practical advice for air passengers on long haul flights. It also identified certain groups who may be at a higher risk of DVT and advised them to seek medical advice before travelling and described simple in-seat exercises that should be recommended to all air passengers.
	To maximise access for the public to this information and advice it is available through health services, the internet at http://www.doh.gov.uk/dvt/, the airlines and NHS Direct and will be kept under review in the light of new research information. No further advice has been issued.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: Deep vein thrombosis is linked to older age, cancer, trauma, surgery and long periods of immobilisation, oral contraception, pregnancy and a number of conditions related to hyperactive blood clotting.
	The number of admissions where primary diagnosis was phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of other deep vessels of lower extremities, in national health service hospitals in England in 2001–02 was 23,801.
	Notes:
	Admissions are defined as a first period of patient care under a consultant in one health care provider.
	The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several admissions within the year. This is the latest year for which data are available.
	The primary diagnosis is the first of seven diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Figures have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce the number of cases of deep vein thrombosis affecting women during pregnancy.

Stephen Ladyman: In 2001, the Department of Health issued information and advice to the airlines and the public about minimising the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during long journeys. This included practical advice for air passengers on long haul flights. It also identified certain groups, including pregnant women, who may be at a higher risk of DVT and advised them to seek medical advice before travelling and described simple in-seat exercises that should be recommended to all air passengers.
	In order to maximise access for the public to this information and advice, it is available through health services, on the internet at http:///www.doh.gov.uk/dvt/, from the airlines and NHS Direct and will be kept under review in the light of new research information.
	The Department also produces "The Pregnancy Book" and "Birth to Five", which are given to all first time mothers by their midwife. Both books contain practical advice for pregnant women about DVT and advise them to consult their general practitioner or midwife before travelling by air.

Dementia

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most significant known risk factor for dementia is; how many people are living with dementia in (a) the UK and (b) Sefton; and how many of those people are under the age of 65.

Stephen Ladyman: There is no routine collection of information at national or local level about the number of people living with dementia. The research, quoted by the older people's national service framework in 2001, estimated that approximately 600,000 people in the United Kingdom have dementia, of whom there are about 17,000 people under the age of 65.
	The most significant known risk factor for dementia is age. It is estimated that about 5 per cent. of people over 65 have dementia, rising to about 20 per cent. in the population over 80.

Departmental Press Office

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was of running the Department's press office in the latest year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The total costs for the Department's press office for 2002–03 are likely to be £1,154,000, including all staff and non-staff related administration costs.
	This figure may still be subject to change, as the accounts are not yet closed for that period.

Departmental Priorities

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's priorities; and how many there are.

John Hutton: The national priorities for the National Health Service are set out in "Improvement, Expansion and Reform: The next three years: Priorities and planning Framework" (PPF) 2003–06, a copy of which is available in the Library.

Diagnostic and Treatment Centres

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors will be needed to staff the new diagnostic and treatment centres.

John Hutton: The number of doctors needed to staff National Health Service-run diagnosis and treatment centres (DTCs) is a matter for the NHS trust managing the unit, working with their local workforce development confederations to ensure the best use of staff in the local health economy.
	The number of doctors working in new independent sector run DTCs will be determined during the contract agreement process with preferred bidders. The procurement documentation sent to short-listed bidders asked them demonstrate that their workforce strategy would not be disruptive to the local health economy, and to indicate the numbers of additional clinical staff and NHS staff, working in an agreed and structured way, that will work in these new units.

Diagnostic and Treatment Centres

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which procedures are expected to be carried out in diagnostic and treatment centres.

John Hutton: Diagnosis and treatment centres are expected to provide booked diagnosis and treatment, on a day case or short inpatient stay basis, in high volume "routine" specialities such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology and general surgery.

Diagnostic and Treatment Centres

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will use a standard tariff for treatments carried out at diagnostic and treatment centres.

John Hutton: From this year, the Government has introduced a new financial system to provide a transparent, rules-based system for paying providers of services to National Health Service patients. Primary care trusts will commission the volume of activity required to deliver service priorities, adjusted for case-mix, from a plurality of providers on the basis of a standard national price tariff. These arrangements apply equally to NHS trusts and NHS—diagnosis and treatment centres.

Diet

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he will measure the success of the Five-A-Day scheme.

Melanie Johnson: Consumption of fruit and vegetables is monitored in national surveys, including the annual Health Survey for England, the annual Expenditure on Food Survey, and the periodic National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
	The New Opportunities Fund has commissioned evaluations of the two elements of the Five-a-Day programme that it is funding at present—the 66 primary care trust-based community initiatives and the regional scaling up of the National School Fruit Scheme. Each evaluation will use a dedicated dietary assessment tool, the development of which was commissioned by the Department of Health at the time of its original pilots.
	Awareness and usage of the Five-d-Day logo launched in March will also be monitored nationally.

Diet

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government plans to increase the funding for Five-a-Day Local Community Initiatives available through the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The lottery-funded New Opportunities Fund is providing £10 million over two years to 2005 to support Five-a-Day community initiatives based in 66 primary care trusts (PCTs). These PCTs, like all PCTs in England, have a duty to improve the health of their communities which requires them to lead on public health issues such as healthy eating. By 2004 PCTs will be managing up to 75 per cent. of the total national health service budget for England to commission services to meet the needs of their population, which may include Five-a-Day projects to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. The Department of Health continues to fund the production of Five-a-Day resources which are available, free, to all PCTs but it does not ring fence funds for Five-a-Day within PCTs' allocations.

Diet

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to improve people's diets, with special reference to people living in socially deprived areas.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health, working with the Food Standards Agency and other partners, is taking a range of measures to improve people's diets. The following measures specifically relate to deprivation.
	The lottery-funded New Opportunities Fund is providing £10 million over two years to support "Five-a Day" community initiatives led in 66 of the most deprived primary care trusts. These aim to increase access to fruit and vegetables and awareness of the health benefits of eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day.
	The "NHS Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06" sets a target to increase breastfeeding initiation rates by two percentage points a year, focussing especially on women from disadvantaged groups.
	The Welfare Food Scheme provides free milk and vitamins to over 700,000 pregnant women, mothers and young children. It is primarily targeted at low income families. The Department plans to reform the scheme by 2004 by broadening its nutritional basis, strengthening links with the national health service and providing increased support for breastfeeding mothers.

District Nurses

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of district nurses in the NHS; and what plans he has to increase their role.

John Hutton: District nurses have an important contribution to make in improving health and health care. The implementation of policies to improve access, promote earlier discharge from hospital and the national service framework for older people require district nurses and others to develop their roles. To support their development I launched a strategy for nursing in primary care, in November 2002. 'Liberating the Talents: helping nurses and PCTs deliver the NHS plan' provides a framework for district nurses and other primary care nurses, for developing their roles based on the needs of patients. Workshops on implementing 'Liberating the Talents' have been held for all primary care trusts in England. It is for PCTs to determine locally how to maximise the role of nurses in delivering Government priorities.

Doctor-Nurse Ratios

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio of (a) doctors and (b) nurses to people is in England.

John Hutton: The table shows the ratio of hospital, public health medicine and community health services staff, general practitioners and nurses to the population in England.
	
		Population per Doctor/Nurse -- Number
		
			 England, as at 30 September 2002 England total 
		
		
			 Population 49,342,229 
			 Doctors(43) 104,460 
			 Population per Doctor 472 
			 of which:  
			 HCHS staff(43) 72,168 
			 Population per Doctor 684 
			 General Medical Practitioners(44) 32,292 
			 Population per Doctor 1,528 
			 All Qualified Nursing Staff 367,520 
			 Population per Nurse 134 
		
	
	(43) HCHS stands for Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services.
	(44) Excludes Hospital Medical Hospital Practitioners and Hospital Medical Clinical Assistants, most of whom are GPs working part-time in hospitals.
	Notes:
	1. All Practitioners include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (para. 52 SFA), PMS Other and GP Retainers.
	2. Practice Nurses employed by Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs).
	3. 2001 based resident population projections for England for mid year 2002.
	Sources:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.
	Government Actuary's Department (GAD).

Doctors

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of hours worked per week by doctors in training were in England in the last year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: The actual hours worked by junior doctors are not monitored centrally. We do however measure average maximum hours in order to assess compliance with the New Deal. The last occasion these figures were collated was in March 2003. This data revealed that out of nearly 32,000 junior doctors, about 90 per cent. were working less than 56 hours a week.

Doctors

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were employed (a) at the Princess Royal Hospital and (b) in general practice in the Wrekin in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Doctors employed at the Princess Royal Hospital Trust and GPs employed within Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust(actual numbers); 1997 to 2003
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 March 2002 2002 March 2003 
		
		
			 Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust   
			 HCHS doctors(45) 98 100 103 107 122 — 122 — 
			 of which: 
			 Consultants 34 32 36 38 40 40 40 44 
			  
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT
			 General Medical Practitioners(46) n/a n/a n/a 88 86 85 89 90 
			 of which: 
			 Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)(47) n/a n/a n/a 82 81 80 82 82 
		
	
	n/a = Not available
	(45) Excludes Hospital Medical Hospital Practitioners and Hospital Medical Clinical Assistants, most of whom are GPs working part-time in hospitals.
	(46) All Practitioners include UPEs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para. 52 SFA), PMS Other and GP Retainers.
	(47) UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
	Note:
	Data for 1997–99 as at 1 October, 2000–02 as at 30 September, March 2002 and March 2003 as at 31 March.
	Sources:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
	Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

Ealing Hospital Trust

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the resignations of the non-executive team of the Ealing Hospital Trust.

Rosie Winterton: A joint press release was issued by the National Health Service Appointments Commission and the North West London Strategic Health Authority on 26 June 2003 announcing resignations from the board of the Ealing Hospital Trust. This stated that the chair and three non-executive directors were standing down because of a break down in relationships, and to make it easier for an independent review of corporate governance systems at the trust to be carried out by the trust's auditors. A caretaker chair is now in post and the three non-executive positions have been advertised.

East and North Hertfordshire Trust

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the findings of the external investigation into presentation of waiting figures by East and North Hertfordshire Trust are to be published.

Stephen Ladyman: Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority published the report of the independent external inquiry into the management of waiting lists at East and North Hertfordshire National Health Service Trust on 8 July 2003.
	Copies of the report are available on the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority website, at www.bhha.nhs.uk.

Electronic Foetal Monitoring

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each hospital trust (a) the measures used to collect information and (b) the information collated on electronic foetal monitoring.

Stephen Ladyman: Trusts are required to collect information on maternity care through the Department of Health's Hospital Episodes Statistics system. This information is published in the National Health Service Maternity Statistics Bulletin, England 2001–02. The most recent bulletin, number 2003/09, was published on 16 May 2003. A copy is available in the Library and is also available on the Department of Health's website at www.doh.uk/public/sb0309.htm
	Information on other measures used by each hospital trust to collect information, including information on electronic foetal monitoring is not collected centrally.

Emergency Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) emergency journeys and (b) emergency calls there were in each year from 1995–96 to 2001–02.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of emergency journeys and emergency calls for ambulance trusts in England are contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletins, "Ambulance Services, England".
	Copies of the bulletins are available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm (covering the period 1997–98 to 2002–03) and www.doh.gov.uk/pub/docs/doh/amb9899.pdf (covering the period 1994–95 to 1998–99).

Emergency Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average response times for emergency calls were in each health authority in each year from 1995–96 to 2001–02.

Rosie Winterton: Information on average response times in each health authority is not collected centrally.
	The Department collects information on the proportion of emergency calls resulting in an ambulance arriving at the scene of the reported incident within the Government's target response times for all ambulance trusts in England. These are contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletins, "Ambulance Services, England".
	Copies of the bulletins are available in the Library and also on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm (covering the period 1997–98 to 2002–03) and www.doh.gov.uk/pub/docs/doh/amb9899. pdf (covering the period 1994–95 to 1998–99).
	The information relating to Wales and Scotland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.
	While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Emergency Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) front line ambulances, (b) patient transport vehicles, (c) fast response cars, (d) medical motorbikes and (e) special care baby units (i) serve and (ii) served Essex in May 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not held centrally.

Emergency Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 999 calls were made to the Essex Ambulance Service in the last 12 months for which figures are available for which it was decided an ambulance was not necessary; and what proportion of calls over this period such calls represented.

Stephen Ladyman: I am advised by Essex Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust that it answered 141,775 999 calls in the period 1April 2002 to 31 March 2003.
	I understand that these calls resulted in the trust responding to 124,063 incidents. Of these incidents, 1,364 were cancelled before the ambulance arrived due to hoax calls. The remaining 122,699 incidents resulted in 107,343 patients being taken to hospital. This results in 16,720 incidents where an ambulance was not required, which equates to 13.47 per cent.

Emergency Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) front line ambulances, (b) patient transport vehicles, (c) fast response cars, (d) medical motorbikes and (e) special care baby units serve Greater London.

John Hutton: This information is not held centrally. Information from the London Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Vehicles and units serving Greater London  
		
		
			 Front line ambulances 395 
			 Patient transport vehicles(48) 252 
			 Fast response cars (RRUs) 59 
			 Medical motorbikes (MRUs) 11 
			 Special care baby units (SCBUs) 8 
		
	
	(48) Made up of six generic types of vehicles

Endometriosis

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to produce a public information campaign to raise awareness of endometriosis.

Melanie Johnson: We recognise the very important role that voluntary organisations such as the National Endometriosis Society (NES) and Simply Holistic Endometriosis (SHE) Trust have in promoting awareness of this debilitating condition.
	We are currently making funds available to NES to produce an information leaflet for women encouraging those with symptoms to discuss them with their general practitioner. They will also produce a leaflet for GPs, which will be the first point of contact for women with this condition, highlighting the symptoms and encouraging early referral.

Endometriosis

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out by or on behalf of his Department on the use of complementary medicine in treating endometriosis.

Melanie Johnson: No such research has been undertaken.

Epothilones

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding Government funding and support of research and development of epothilones.

Melanie Johnson: No research on epothilones is currently being funded by the Medical Research Council or the Department. Commercial trials are in progress.

Eye Surgery

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the recovery time and success rates of those patients undergoing (a) LASIK, (b) LASEK, (c) PRK and (d) ALK; and what the side effects of each are;
	(2)  what recommendations have been made to the NHS with regard to the range of (a) myopia and (b) hyperopia that would benefit the most from refractive surgery.

John Hutton: The majority of laser eye surgery to correct refractive errors takes place in private hospitals, which are regulated by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC), which is currently monitoring developments in this area. Providers of laser eye surgery are required to be registered with the NCSC and to keep records for inspection by the NCSC of each surgical procedure undertaken, including accidents or adverse events. Service providers are subject to annual inspection by the NCSC.
	The National Health Service does not routinely provide laser eye surgery to correct refractive errors. However, it is considered when a specific clinical need could justify its use. Examples could include adjustment of the refractive error of one eye to make it similar to the other (a) condition known as anisometropia) or patients shown to be severely depressed by the need to wear glasses (and where contact lenses are contra-indicated). These are rare occurrences and are evaluated on an individual patient basis.

Health Care (EU)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recent European Court ruling about the eligibility of all EU citizens to non-hospital care in any EU country.

John Hutton: The judgment in a similar case before the English courts (Watts v. Bedford Primary Care Trust) is awaited for guidance on the extent to which the recent European Court of Justice ruling in case C (Muller-Faure/van Riet) applies in the United Kingdom. When that is available, careful consideration will be given to any implications for policy and practice in the UK.

Falls

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of ambulance call outs to people over the age of (a) 50 years and (b) 65 years in each of the last five years for which figures are available were as a result of a fall.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	The national service framework (NSF) for older people, published in 2001, requires the NHS, working in partnership with councils, to take action to prevent falls and reduce resultant fractures or other injuries in their populations of older people. Older people who have fallen should receive effective treatment and prevention and, with their carers, receive advice on prevention through a specialised falls service. All local health and social care systems should have established this service by April 2005 and achievement of this NSF milestone will be monitored centrally.

Falls

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was spent on the funding of falls co-ordinator posts in England in 2002–03;
	(2)  what he estimates to be the cost of (a) all injuries as a result of a fall, (b) hip fractures and (c) osteoporosis to the national health service in the last 12 months;
	(3)  how many designated falls co-ordinators are in post in the United Kingdom.

Melanie Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the responses given by my hon. Friends the then Minister of State and the then Under-Secretary of State for Health on 5 March 2003, Official Report, column 1121W.

Falls

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the progress of local health authorities against the national service framework for older people's 2003 milestone on falls prevention.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department of Health will be monitoring formally the overall falls milestone of integrated health and social care falls services by April 2005 as this is included as one of the key targets in "Improvement, Expansion and Reform", the priorities and planning framework for 2003–06. It is now for strategic health authorities to plan, deliver and monitor progress locally on the other falls milestones in the national service framework for older people.

Food Additives

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources the NHS is allocating for research into the link between food additives and behavioural deficits in children.

Melanie Johnson: There are currently no national health service studies on this subject. However, last year the Food Standards Agency (FSA) set up an ad hoc, multi-stakeholder working group to advise on the feasibility of conducting research on a possible relationship between exposure to certain food additives and behavioural effects in children; and to advise on the most suitable experimental strategies. In the light of this advice the FSA advertised for suitable research proposals. Following appraisal, successful proposals are likely to be commissioned early next year.

Food Poisoning

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of food poisoning were notified to his Department in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: A summary of the food poisoning notifications received in England and Wales for the years 1997–2002, is shown in the table.
	
		Food poisoning notifications—annual totals: England and Wales, 1997–2001
		
			  Total Formally notified Otherwise ascertained 
		
		
			 1997 93,901 54,233 39,668 
			 1998 93,932 53,764 40,168 
			 1999 86,316 48,454 37,862 
			 2000 86,528 46,481 40,047 
			 2001 85,468 46,768 38,700 
			 2002 72,649 38,541 34,108 
		
	
	Source:
	HPA Statutory Notifications of Infectious Diseases—Last updated: July 2003

Food Standards Agency

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultations have been issued by the Food Standards Agency in each year since its inception.

Melanie Johnson: Since its inception the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has operated under the three guiding principles of putting the consumer first, being open and accessible and being an independent voice. To do this effectively the FSA consults widely before making recommendations, unless urgent action is required, and engages with a plethora of stakeholders as part of its general policy-making process. It uses a wide range of consultative methods such as open/public meetings, specific stakeholder meetings, focus groups, standing consultative groups and questionnaire-based surveys. For formal written consultations, the FSA has published 331 on its website since its establishment in April 2000: 46 between April to December 2000, 80 in 2001, 128 in 2002 and 77 between January to July 2003.

Food Standards Agency

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often he plans to meet officials from the Food Standards Agency.

Melanie Johnson: I meet the Chair of the Food Standards Agency every four to six weeks and meet its officials on a regular basis for briefings.

Foundation Trusts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what process will be used to recruit members of NHS Foundation Trusts.

John Hutton: It will be for each national health service foundation trust to determine what approach to take.
	A source book has now been developed to help applicants for NHS foundation trust status develop their governance and membership arrangements. NHS foundation trusts will be under a statutory duty to take steps to have a representative membership.

Foundation Trusts

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether foundation hospitals established in England will be required to treat patients referred by general practitioners based in Wales.

John Hutton: Arrangements for cross border referrals to national health service foundation trusts are expected to continue to work in the same way as referrals from NHS Commissioners in Wales to NHS trusts currently operate.

Foundation Trusts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of how many members a foundation trust will have.

John Hutton: National health service foundation trusts will be required to set their own minimum membership as part of their constitution. The Independent Regulator must be satisfied that the membership is sufficient to ensure that a Board of Governors can be elected according to its constitution and that the actual membership will be representative of those eligible.

Foundation Trusts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for piloting the scheme for foundation hospitals.

John Hutton: We have no plans to pilot national health service foundation trusts.

Foundation Trusts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to send out the source book for foundation hospital applicants.

John Hutton: A first version of the governance source book has been made available to applicants. This will be supplemented, over time, to include learning from the experience of first wave applicants.

Foundation Trusts

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of the Foundation Trusts Regulator.

John Hutton: Subject to Parliament, the Independent Regulator for National Health Service foundation trusts will be responsible for authorising, monitoring and regulating NHS foundation trusts. Details of the role of the Independent Regulator can be found in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Foundation Trusts

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Regulator of Foundation Trusts will be required to maintain universal access to healthcare services.

John Hutton: Subject to legislation, the Independent Regulator will be required to exercise his functions in a manner that is consistent with the performance by the Secretary of State of the duties under sections 1, 3 and 51 of the National Health Service Act 1977.

Foundation Trusts

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he will play in the work of foundation trusts.

John Hutton: The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the National Health Service. The Secretary of State sets the strategic vision for the health service, distributes resources to the NHS, sets the national tariff and will set national standards. The Secretary of State's main role, with regard to NHS foundations trusts, will be to decide whether to support proposals for NHS foundation trust status.

Foundation Trusts

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps will be taken to ensure that foundation trusts do not turn away patients with chronic conditions.

John Hutton: The services National Health Service foundation trusts provide for NHS Commissioners will be set out in legally binding contracts.
	NHS foundation trusts will be required, under their terms of authorisation, to continue to provide essential NHS services to NHS commissioners.

Foundation Trusts

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether each foundation trust will have unique clinical targets and health care priorities.

John Hutton: National Health Service foundation trusts will be established with the principal purpose of providing NHS services to NHS patients. They will be held to account for delivering the outputs agreed with primary care trusts and other partners in the health economy, as part of the commissioning process.
	NHS foundation trusts will be independently inspected by the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection against the same national standards as other NHS trusts.

Foundation Trusts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the extent to which foundation trusts will have access to non-public finance.

John Hutton: National health service foundation trusts will have freedom to decide where to go for capital borrowing.

Foundation Trusts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with City institutions about interest rates available for bond-based finance for foundation trusts.

John Hutton: The Department of Health has undertaken a wide range of consultations with a variety of City institutions over future financing options for national health service foundation trusts.

Free Nursing Care

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many whole-time equivalent nurses are responsible for assessing patients for free nursing care;
	(2)  how many people are awaiting an assessment for free nursing care; and what proportion that represents of people who require an assessment for free nursing care;
	(3)  how many people have been waiting (a) less than one month, (b) over one month and less than two months, (c) over two months and less than three months, (d) over three months and less than four months and (e) over four months for an assessment for free nursing care.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on a survey of primary care trusts (PCTs) carried out in December 2002, which requested information on PCTs' progress on determining the nursing needs of nursing home residents supported by local authorities, was placed on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/nhsfundednursingcare/dec2002resultspub.xls on 6 May 2003. In mid-December 2002 approximately 20 per cent. of the assessments of residents supported by local authorities, which were required by April 2003, had been completed. No further updated or detailed information is held centrally.
	Arrangements for carrying out assessments are organised locally and no information on the number of nurses involved is held at central level.

Free Prescriptions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is eligible for free prescriptions.

Rosie Winterton: The following categories of people are eligible for free national health service prescriptions:
	Men and women aged 60 and over;
	Children under 16;
	Young people in full-time education aged 16, 17 and 18;
	Pregnant women and women who have had a child in the previous 12 months who hold a valid exemption certificate;
	People who hold a valid exemption certificate for a war or Ministry of Defence disablement pension but only in respect of medication for the disablement;
	People suffering from the following conditions who hold a valid exemption certificate:
	permanent fistula (including caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy, or ileostomy) which requires continuous surgical dressing or requires an appliance
	diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
	diabetes mellitus (except where treatment is by diet alone)
	hypoparathyroidism
	myasthenia gravis
	myxoedema
	epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy;
	continuing physical disability which prevents the patient from leaving his residence without the help of another person.
	People (and their partner) receiving income support
	People (and their partner) receiving jobseekers' allowance income-based
	People who are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
	People named on a valid HC2 charges certificate for full help (under NHS low income scheme).

Fuzeon

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the drug Fuzeon.

Melanie Johnson: On 27 May 2003, the European Commission issued a Marketing Authorisation valid throughout the European Union for the medicinal product Fuzeon, which contains enfuvirtide. The approved indication is:
	"in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products for the treatment of HIV-1 infected patients who have received treatment with and failed on regimens containing at least one medicinal product from each of the following antiretroviral classes: protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or who have intolerance to previous antiretroviral regimens. In deciding on a new regimen for patients who have failed an antiretroviral regimen, careful consideration should be given to the treatment history of the individual and the patterns of mutations associated with different medicinal products. Where available, resistance testing may be appropriate."

General Practitioners

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner posts in Leicestershire are vacant.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is not held centrally in the format requested.

General Practitioners

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners have entered general practice in each of the last six years; and how many have retired.

John Hutton: It is not possible to provide comparable figures for general practitioners joining the work force and those retiring from the work force. This is because the time sequences and groups covered differ. The available information is set out in the tables.
	
		Numbers of Unrestricted Principals and Equivalent (UPE) general practitioners joining the workforce 1996–97 to 2001–02
		
			 Year(49) Number of UPEs(50) joining General Practice 
		
		
			 1996–97 1,302 
			 1997–98 1,333 
			 1998–99 1,229 
			 1999–2000 1,203 
			 2000–01 1,452 
			 2001–02 1,633 
		
	
	Notes:
	(49) 12-month periods October to September
	(50) UPEs include General Medical Services (GMS) Unrestricted Principals, Personal Medical Services (PMS) Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
	
		Numbers of general practitioners(51)retiring in the financial years ending 1996–97 to 2002–03
		
			 Year(52) Number of GPs retiring(53) 
		
		
			 1996–97 537 
			 1997–98 509 
			 1998–99 457 
			 1999–2000 339 
			 2000–01 584 
			 2001–02 604 
			 2002–03 532 
		
	
	Notes:
	(51) These figures include UPEs and all other GPs
	(52) 12 month periods April to March
	(53) These figures include retirements on the grounds of age and voluntary early retirements before the NHS Pension Scheme's normal retirement age of 60
	Source:
	NHS Pensions Agency

General Practitioners

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the average length of time GPs in England spent with their patients in individual consultations in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: The data are not collected either routinely or by health authority.
	Under the new general medical services contract, which will be introduced from 1 April 2004, length of consultation is one of the indicators within the quality and outcomes framework. Practices will be able to increase earnings if they provide appointments and consultations which equal or exceed the times specified in the framework.

General Practitioners

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in (a) Greater London and (b) England are registered with a GP.

John Hutton: The vast majority of the population is registered with a general practitioner. At 30 September 2002 (the latest published data), 8,122,456 people were recorded as registered with a GP or with a provider of personal medical services (PMS) in the areas covered by the five London strategic health authorities. In England, 51,552,391 people were recorded as registered with a GP or a provider of PMS.
	However, these figures are greater than their respective population figures. Therefore, it is not possible to express accurately the percentages of the population that are covered. This is due to "list inflation". This arises where a patient moves his or her registration and for a transitional period may be registered on two lists. Similarly, an individual who dies or moves outside London and/or England may remain on a list for a time.

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans he has made in the event of doctors rejecting GP contracts.

John Hutton: General practitioners voted overwhelmingly to support the new general medical services contract on 20 June.

General Practitioners

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on GP recruitment.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan set a target of recruiting an additional 2,000 general practitioners (GPs) between 1999 and 2004. A range of measures have been put in place to increase GP recruitment:
	The number of GP registrars has increased from 1,340 in 1997 to 2,070 in March 2003 providing a substantial increase in the number of qualified GPs.
	The GP Returner Scheme launched in November 2002 provides a clear, supported route back into general practice. Under the scheme returning GPs receive paid, individually tailored refresher training (full- or part-time) a dedicated return co-ordinator with whom they meet regularly, and a contribution towards their professional expenses.
	The Golden Hello Scheme offers up to £5,000 to new GPs or those returning to practice from the Retainer Scheme, with up to a further £7,000 if they take up post in an area designated as under-doctored. On 29 November 2002 the scheme was extended to qualified doctors who are not currently working in national health service general practice who return to take up an NHS post.
	In November 2002 the Flexible Careers Scheme, which only applied to hospital doctors, was extended to offer GPs new options to work more flexibly, to work part-time and to give them a route back to practice when they want to return to the NHS.
	The NHS Delayed Retirement Scheme (formerly Golden Goodbye Scheme) which pays £2,000 per year to GPs between the ages of 60 and 64 inclusive who continue to work in a substantive primary care post.
	Increased funding for locum cover for family doctors for maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
	A £22 million training package to increase the number of GP trainers and training practices.
	A £55 million package to improve primary care premises in deprived parts of the country including new premises to train and employ more GPs.
	Alongside these initiatives there is the new general medical services contract, which will provide GPs with the opportunities and funding to improve their working lives by allowing them to opt out of providing out-of-hours arrangements and additional services. This will make it easier for them to work flexibly and move in and out of salaried and independent contractor status and enable a new portfolio approach to career development which will make it easier for GPs to adapt their career to suit their aspirations.
	We are now starting to see significant increases in the number of GPs. In the six months to 31 March 2003, GP numbers grew by 500. 1,240 of the NHS Plan target has now been delivered and we expect to see further increases as these measures take effect.

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner vacancies there were in each primary care trust in 2002 and how many there are now.

John Hutton: In the 2002 General Practitioner Recruitment Retention and Vacancy Survey, health authorities reported that 2,615 GP vacancies were recorded at some stage during the period March 2001 to February 2002.
	Figures for individual primary care trusts are not available because the data for the 2002 survey were returned in aggregate form by the former health authorities that existed at the time.
	The 2003 GP Recruitment, Retention and Vacancy Survey will be published later this year.

General Practitioners

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average GP waiting times were in the Wrekin in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is not available in the form requested.
	At March 2003, results from a primary care access survey indicated that 94 per cent. of patients in Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust were able to be seen by a general practitioner within two days.
	Prior to that, on the basis of similar data collected at health authority level, within Shropshire Health Authority, at March 2002, 80 per cent. of patients were able to be seen within two days.
	At September 2001, 80 per cent. of patients were able to be seen within two days. This is the earliest date for which these data are available.

General Practitioners

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the criteria are for GPs to be eligible for a cash payment of up to £125,000 for IT.

John Hutton: The previous arrangements for the computer reimbursement scheme were detailed in paragraph 58 of the Statement of Fees and Allowances. The scheme allowed for the direct reimbursement of a proportion of the costs incurred by a practitioner, restricted principal, partnership or group practice in purchasing, leasing or upgrading a computer system, and for maintaining the associated hardware and software. Practices were only eligible to claim reimbursement of expenditure on systems which are accredited to national standards defined in Requirements for Accreditation 99 (v1.1 and v1.2).
	The new general medical services contract will facilitate the modernisation of information and technology in general practice and support the local health community. Under the contract, new money will be spent providing new systems and upgrading existing systems. In addition, primary care organisations will be responsible for funding the purchase, maintenance, future upgrades and running costs of integrated information technology systems, which includes those used in general practice.

General Practitioners

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the practices that have received payments for IT; and how much they received.

John Hutton: There are over 8,700 practices in England. The Department of Health does not collect information on the amounts reimbursed to the individual general practitioner practices for information technology.

General Practitioners

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the operating systems which are approved by the Department of Health for GPs to receive payments for IT systems.

John Hutton: Under current arrangements the Department of Health does not accredit operating systems for use by general practitioner practices. However, the national programme for information technology will be defining clear interoperability standards as new integrated care record services are rolled out across the national health service.
	The clinical GP systems listed have been accredited against current Requirements for Accreditation (RFA) requirements.
	RFA99v1.2:
	Blue Bay/SAIC—GPS version 5.4
	EMIS—PCS
	Protechnic Exeter—Version 19
	Healthy Software—Version 5
	In Health Solutions—Ganymede version 5.1
	Microtest—Practice Manager 2 version 1.7.1
	The Phoenix Partnership—System One version 1
	RFA99v1.1:
	Chime—GP Care Version 4
	EMIS—LV5.2 and GV2 version 2
	In Practice Systems—Vision Version 3
	Seetec—GP Enterprise Version 1.5
	Torex Health—Premiere Version 2.2, Premiere Synergy Version 1.0, System 6000 version 3.3 and System 5 version 5.8
	Torex Pennine—Visual Phoenix version 2.1

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) male and (b) female GPs have switched to working part-time since 1st July 2002.

John Hutton: The number of female and male general practitioners who have switched to working part-time since 31 March 2002 is shown in the table.
	
		All practitioners1 working full-time as at 31 March 2002 and part-time as at 30 September 2002 by sex -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			  Practitioners Female Male 
		
		
			  
			  
			 England Total 320 174 146 
		
	
	(54) All practitioners include GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (paragraph 52 SFA), PMS other and GP Retainers.
	Information can only be provided as at 31 March 2002 and 30 September 2002 because these are the dates when the workforce mini census and workforce annual census were carried out respectively.

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new (a) male and (b) female GPs opted to work part-time between 1 January and 30 June in (i) 2002 and (ii) 2003.

John Hutton: Information can only be provided between 30 September 2001 and 31 March 2002 and 30 September 2002 and 31 March 2003, because there are the dates when the workforce annual census and workforce mini census were carried out.
	The number and proportion of new male and female general practitioners (GPs) who opted to work part time between 30 September 2001 and 31 March 2002 are shown in table 1.
	The number and proportion of new male and female GPs who opted to work part time between 30 September 2002 and 31 March 2003 are shown in table 2.
	
		Table 1: Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)(55) joiners by commitment and sex,between 30 September 2001 and 31 March 2002
		
			  Total Full-time Of which Male Female Part-time Percentages all joiners workingpart-time Of which Male Percentages male joiners workingpart-time Female Percentages female joiners workingpart-time 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Joiners 800 436  274 164 364 45.5  99 26.5 265 62.1 
			 Of which 
			 New Joiners 519 305  189 116 214 41.2  50 21 164 58.5 
			 Re-joiners 281 131  85 46 150 53.4  49 36.6 101 68.7 
		
	
	Note:
	UPEs include GMS Unrestricted principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
	
		Table 2: Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)(55) joiners by commitment and sex, between 30 September 2002 and 31 March 2003 (numbers-headcount)
		
			  Total Full-time Of which Male Female Part-time Percentages all joiners workingpart-time Of which Male Percentages male joiners workingpart-time Female Percentages Female joiners workingpart-time 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Joiners 977 568  339 229 409 42.0  120 26.0 289 55.7 
			 Of which 
			 New joiners 596 372  218 154 224 37.6  47 17.7 177 53.5 
			 Re-joiners 381 196  121 75 185 48.5  73 37.6 112 59.8 
		
	
	Note:
	UPEs include GMS Unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Genetially Modified Foods

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the health impact of genetically modified foods.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) funds two extensive research programmes that underpin the safety assessment of genetically modified foods.
	This research is undertaken by independent research scientists and is peer reviewed before final reports are made publicly available through the FSA's library. Details of the research programme are published in the FSA's Research and Surveys Programmes annual report and are available on the FSA website.

Green Burial Sites

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has undertaken into the effect of green burial sites on the welfare of bereaved families.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not undertaken any research into the effects of green burial sites on the welfare of bereaved families.

Health Action Zones

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a report on the progress of Health Action Zones.

John Hutton: The University of Glasgow was contracted to undertake the evaluation of health action zones. The research team is currently working on the final report for the Department of Health. The intellectual property reights for the findings rest with the contractor and the Department will encourage them to publish.

Health Action Zones

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that health action zones include withdrawal and rehabilitation clinics for people who have been over-medicated and may have severe dependency problems.

John Hutton: Health action zones (HAZs) were set up to address health inequalities in the most deprived areas of England. It is for the primary care trusts (PCTs) within HAZ areas to decide, with local stakeholders, which services should be provided and how to allocate resources to deliver them. PCTs have a responsibility to ensure that adequate controls are in place to minimise dependency and to treat dependency problems where they occur.

Health Action Zones

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to instruct health action zones to undertake an audit of the (a) financial and (b) quality of life costs of the adverse effects of psychotropic drugs.

Rosie Winterton: All medicines are assessed for quality, safety and efficacy prior to the grant of a licence by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with independent expert advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM). A licence will not be granted unless the MHRA/CSM considers the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of adverse effects. Once licensed, the MHRA/CSM continue to monitor the safety of medicines in clinical practice and take necessary action to optimise their safe use.
	Health action zones were set up to develop local, bottom-up approaches to tackling health inequalities in the 26 most deprived areas of England. It is for the primary care trusts within those health action zones areas to decide with local stakeholders what those approaches will be and how best to allocate resources to deliver them.

Heart By-pass Operations

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heart by-pass operations have been carried out by the NHS in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many were carried out in the same period in (a) 2000, (b) 1998, (c) 1994, (d) 1990 and (e) 1986.

Melanie Johnson: The national service framework for coronary heart disease and NHS Plan targets for an extra 6,000 heart operations by April were met a year early.
	The table shows the number of coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) procedures carried out in 2001 (latest available figures), 2000, 1998, 1994 and 1990. Figures are not available for the period before 1989–90.
	
		
			  Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts 
		
		
			 1989–90 9,404 
			 1993–94 17,351 
			 1997–98 19,816 
			 1999–2000 21,081 
			 2000–01 22,325

Heartburn

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many patients in England suffered from heartburn in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what proportion of the population these represent;
	(2)  what measures his Department is taking to reduce the number of people who suffer from heartburn.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the incidence of individual conditions, such as heartburn, is not collected centrally. It is estimated, however, that around 40 per cent. of the adult population may suffer from dyspepsia. Dyspepsia refers to a spectrum of usually intermittent upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently preparing a guideline on "Dyspepsia: managing adult patients in primary care". The guideline is currently out as a draft for first consultation. This national guideline will provide recommendations and supporting evidence on caring for patients with dyspepsia.

Hepatitis

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hepatitis B carriers there are in the United Kingdom.

Melanie Johnson: Studies suggest that the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in the population of England is around 0.3 per cent., equivalent to 150,000 hepatitis B carriers.
	Information on hepatitis B in Scotland and Wales is available from the Devolved Administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Hip Replacements

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the use of (a) bovine derivative substitutes, (b) hydroxyapatites and (c) coraline derivative substitutes in hip revisions, with special reference to efficacy, duration of use and cost;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on his recommendations to the NHS on the use of porous hydroxyapatites for use in hip revisions.

John Hutton: All these materials are used as artificial bone substitute implants. They have a variety of uses, but in hip replacements they can be used in granular form and moulded in a paste with the patient's blood which is then used to fill the space left if a patient has lost their natural bone (a process which can occur in a failing hip replacement).
	These products are regulated in line with the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SE2002 No. 618). Under these regulations, the manufacturer is required to place the CE marking on the medical device—unless it is part of a clinical investigation approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or a custom made device—indicating that the medical device meets the essential requirements for safety and design in Annex 1 of Council Directive 93/42/EEC. For the medical devices specified, the manufacturer's declaration will be audited by an independent Notified Body. Any product bearing the CE marking may be placed on the United Kingdom market.
	The Department of Health and the MHRA do not collect information on efficacy and costs of these products. Duration of use is a matter for the individual manufacturer of the product.

HIV/AIDS

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what tests are carried out on HIV-infected patients to establish whether they have a drug-resistant strain of the virus.

Melanie Johnson: There are two kinds of test that can be performed to determine whether an HIV-infected patient has a drug-resistant strain of the virus. Genotypic testing, which involves identifying mutation in the viral genetic material, has been adopted for widespread clinical use and is undertaken by specialist clinical virology laboratories. Mutations are associated with resistance to antiretroviral drugs and this information can be used to predict which drugs are likely to work for a particular individual. Phenotypic testing is more complex, requires high-containment laboratory facilities, and is not routinely available in the United Kingdom.

HIV/AIDS

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people in England were infected with HIV in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people in England were infected with AIDS in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The number of new cases of HIV infection and AIDS diagnosed in England in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year of diagnosis HIV AIDS 
		
		
			 1998 2,615 732 
			 1999 2,872 672 
			 2000 3,608 750 
			 2001 4,725 633 
			 2002(55) 5,234 679 
		
	
	(55) Numbers will rise, particularly for the most recent year, as further reports are received.
	Source:
	Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency (data to end June 2003)

Home Carers

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to local authorities on providing assistance to home carers.

Stephen Ladyman: Carers are entitled to an assessment to determine their needs as carers and eligibility for support. The Carers Grant, worth £100 million this year, provides money for local councils to provide short breaks for carers to enable them to continue in their caring role. The Grant will continue until at least 2006, during which time it will increase to £185 million to provide extended care and 130,000 further breaks to carers.
	Carers are also entitled to cash payments for carers' services to enable them to purchase the type of support they require and promote a better quality of life.

Hospice Movement

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the hospice movement in financial year 2003–04 of the increase in the level of charges for checks by the Criminal Records Bureau in respect of paid staff;
	(2)  if he will provide a grant to hospices to compensate for the recent increase in the level of charges for checks by the Criminal Records Bureau in respect of paid staff.

Melanie Johnson: Responsibility for paying the fee for a criminal record disclosure rests with the individual applicant, although it is open to the employer to reimburse the cost. The Home Department has placed in the Library a regulatory impact assessment, which assesses the impact of the fee increase across all sectors.
	The level of funding agreed is a matter for local discussion and decision. We have made available an additional £50 million per annum for specialist palliative care, including hospices, for the three years beginning 2003–04. This extra £50 million is to help tackle inequalities in access to specialist palliative care to enable the National Health Service to increase their contribution to the cost hospices incur in providing agreed levels of service.

Hospitals

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has had regarding the star rating system.

Rosie Winterton: The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), which is now responsible for publishing the NHS Star Ratings, has received a small number of queries from trusts seeking clarification over the calculation of their Star Rating. Representations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health have included a small number of right hon. and hon. Members, members of the public and national health service staff proffering views on the NHS Star Ratings system. These views are being passed to CHI so that they may inform future developments of the star ratings system.

Hospitals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what qualitative basis star ratings for hospital-acquired infections are calculated.

Melanie Johnson: Two new performance indicators related to hospital acquired infections contributed to the star ratings this July. The first, a methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) improvement score was based on quantitative data from the national mandatory MRSA surveillance system. The second, an infection control procedures indicator was based on a qualitative assessment against the infection control standard. Full details of these indicators are on http://www.ratings.chi.nhs.uk/Trust/Indicator/indicators.asp?trustType=1

Hospitals

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department has in place to reduce incidences of MRSA in NHS hospitals.

Melanie Johnson: We already have standards to ensure there is a managed environment which minimises the risk of infection to patients, staff and visitors. In addition, infection control procedures and a methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus score are now performance indicators and contributed to the star ratings in July. We are continuing work to improve infection control in hospitals by developing a longer term strategy to reduce health care associated infections, spearheaded by the Chief Medical Officer.

Hospitals

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new hospitals have opened in the last three years; and at what cost.

John Hutton: 35 new hospital building schemes have become operational since July 2000. The schemes and their capital values are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Scheme Capital value (£ million) 
		
		
			 Dartford and Gravesham 94 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals 45 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital—Greenwich 96 
			 County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals 61 
			 Calderdale and Huddersfield 65 
			 South Manchester University 67 
			 Norfolk and Norwich Health 158 
			 Hereford Hospitals 64 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm 54 
			 Worcestershire Acute 87 
			 County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals 48 
			 King's Healthcare 76 
			 Swindon and Marlborough 100 
			 Leeds Community and Mental 47 
			 Bromley Hospitals 118 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals 22 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital 60 
			 Berkshire Healthcare 30 
			 Rochdale 24 
			 Central Sheffield University Hospitals 24 
			 Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospital 84 
			 Queens Medical Centre—Nottingham University Hospital 17 
			 West Sussex Health and Social Care 22 
			 North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare 28 
			 Oxleas 11 
			 North East London Mental Health 11 
			 Northern Birmingham Mental Health 18 
			 Cornwall Healthcare—Bodmin 10 
			 East London and The City Mental Health—Newham 15 
			 Luton and Dunstable 15 
			 Northumbria Healthcare—Wansbeck 18 
			 Royston Buntingford and Bishop Stortford PCT 15 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals 13 
			 Northumbria Healthcare—Hexham 29 
			 Swale PCT 14

IT Projects

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the IT projects his Department (a) plans to undertake in the next year and (b) has undertaken, broken down by (i) expected date of commencement and completion and (ii) cost.

John Hutton: Information on information technology projects with the Department of Health, costing £100,000 or more, that are planned, under way or are due to be completed in the financial year 2003–04 have been placed in the Library.

Learning Disability Services

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the identification and dissemination of examples of good practice in learning disability services.

Stephen Ladyman: We have received no such representations but recognise the importance of sharing examples of good practice to help ensure the improvement of services across the country.
	Our proposals for improving services for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers are set out in the White Paper "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century" (Cm 5086), published in March 2001. The White Paper sets out a challenging programme of action which will make a real difference to people's lives.
	Our annual report on learning disability, "Making Change Happen" (HC514), published in April 2003, reports progress made in implementing "Valuing People" and contains examples of good practice. The valuing people support team, set up as part of the White Paper implementation programme, has been operating since February 2002. A core component of the support team's work, through publications, conferences, and other events, is the sharing and promoting of good practice among learning disability partnership boards throughout England.

Locums

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many locum doctors there are.

John Hutton: A locum can be defined as a doctor with a temporary as opposed to substantive contract who temporarily fills vacant positions or covers the work of absent colleagues.
	The table shows the number of medical and dental staff with locum contracts working in the national health service as at 30 September 2002.
	
		Hospital, Public Heath Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): Medical and dental locum staff -- (Headcount)
		
			 England as at 30 September 2002 Number 
		
		
			 All locums(56) 3,700 
		
	
	(56) HCHS doctors with locum contracts—excludes doctors who also hold a substantive contract.
	Note:
	Locum data was not collected in the HCHS March 2003 mini census.
	Source:
	Department of Health 2002 medical and dental locum work force census.
	The following table shows the number of general practitioner locums working in the NHS as at 31 March 2003.
	
		General Medical Practitioners(57) who work exclusively as locums, in England, as at 31 March 2003
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Loums(58) 4,644 
		
	
	(57) All practitioners include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS Other, GP Retainers and Flexible Career Scheme GPs.
	(58) General Medical Practitioners with locum contracts—excludes doctors who also hold a substantive contract in GP practice.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Mary Rose Birthing Centre

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what consultations took place with (a) local women and their families, (b) other service users, (c) community representatives and (d) NHS organisations before the proposal to close the Mary Rose Birthing Centre was taken; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to reconsider the proposal to close the Mary Rose Birthing Centre at St. Mary's hospital in Portsmouth; and if he will make statement;
	(3)  what assessment his Department has made of the proposal to close the community midwife-led maternity service unit at St. Mary's Hospital Portsmouth, and transfer the maternity service to Queen Alexandra hospital; what research has been conducted on the risks to expectant mothers; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what guidance he has given the Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust following the report to the Department of Health Children's Taskforce from the Maternity and Neonatal Workforce Group on the proposal by the Trust to close the Mary Rose Birthing Centre; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what representations he has received on the proposal to close the Mary Rose Birthing Centre in Portsmouth.

Stephen Ladyman: The future configuration of local maternity services in Portsmouth and South East Hampshire is currently under careful consideration as part of the wider restructuring of local acute services. There are no plans to close the Mary Rose Birthing Centre, but the local national health service is considering the possible relocation of the unit along with the main Consultant-led maternity service at St. Mary's hospital to the new Private Finance Initiative hospital on the Queen Alexandra site. During September and October 2003, the local NHS has a programme of engagement to discuss the proposals with local residents and community representatives.
	The Department has received two representations about the future of the unit. I am aware that the hon. Member wrote to my right hon. Friend on 13 August about this issue. The Department has not issued any guidance to NHS trusts following the report from the Maternity and Neonatal Workforce Group to the Children's Taskforce.

Maternity Services

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many births in the NHS were delivered by caesarean section in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will give this figure as a proportion of the total number of births delivered in the NHS.

Stephen Ladyman: The table shows estimated numbers and percentages of deliveries by caesarean section for years 1997–98 to 2001–02. The information is taken from the data published in National Health Service Maternity Statistics, England: 2001–02. The bulletin, number 2003/09, was published on 16 May 2003. A copy has been placed in the Library and is also available on the Department's website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0309.htm.
	
		Caesarean deliveries, NHS hospitals, England
		
			  Estimated numbers of Caesarean deliveries Percentage of deliveries that were by Caesarean 
		
		
			 2001–02 119,100 22.0 
			 2000–01 118,200 21.5 
			 1999–2000 116,500 20.6 
			 1998–99 110,300 19.1 
			 1997–98 106,500 18.2 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health, Statistics Division 3G—Maternity Hospital Episode Statistics

Maternity Services

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to respond to the Health Committee's report on the provision of maternity services in England.

Stephen Ladyman: A response to the Health Committee's report into the provision of maternity services will be made shortly.

Maternity Services

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many maternity units there are in the United Kingdom; and whether they all include specialist facilities for premature babies.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on the number of maternity units in the United Kingdom is not held centrally. Information about maternity units in England is collected by trusts and put on the hospital episode statistics system. Each trust may be responsible for one or more large hospitals and possibly several maternity units. Some of these units will have specialist facilities for premature babies.
	Information on maternity units in Scotland and Wales is available from the devolved administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Maternity Services

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available since 1997 for maternity units; and what measures have been taken to reduce deaths of newborn babies.

Stephen Ladyman: Expenditure data on maternity services are collected within National Health Service trusts and primary care trusts in England. Information on funding maternity units is not held centrally. However, the table shows national total expenditure on maternity (including in-patients, out-patient and community services), 1997, 1998 to 2001–02.
	
		Hospital & community Health Services Expenditure on Maternity Services—England 1997–98 to 2001–02
		
			 Year Expenditure on Maternity Services (£) 
		
		
			 2001–02 1,270,961,420 
			 2000–01 1,192,362,905 
			 1999–2000 1,153,864,597 
			 1998–99 1,089,179,652 
			 1997–98 1,053,832,887 
		
	
	Source:1. Annual Financial returns of NHS Trusts, 1997–98 to 2001–02
	2. Annual financial returns of Primary Care Trusts, 2000–01 and 2001–02
	The Government have provided additional funding to improve facilities for the care of newborn babies. In 2001–02 and 2002–03 we invested £100 million capital in more than 200 maternity units in England. The money is being used to modernise and refurbish the units and to improve the environment in which care is provided and better to meet the needs of women and their families. All projects are due to be completed this year.
	The Government have also provided additional funding in support of those babies who are in need of specialist and intensive care facilities. In 2000 the Government introduced recurrent funding of an additional £5 million to address local difficulties in neonatal intensive care services. An additional £6.5 million was also invested in new and upgraded neonatal intensive care equipment, and an additional £10.5 million for critical care nurse training. A comprehensive review of neonatal intensive care services has been conducted with a view to developing further the strategy for neonatal intensive care across the country, and increased funding has been announced to implement the results. There will be £12 million revenue funding available this year, increasing to £20 million from next year, and there will also be £20 million available for capital expenditure this year.

Maternity Services

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of emergency midwives; and what proposals he has to ensure that enough staff are present to provide emergency midwifery services.

John Hutton: The Government is committed to increasing the number of midwives working in the National Health Service. Our target is clear: we want to see 2,000 more midwives working in the NHS by the end of 2006 than there were in 2000.
	In September 2002 there were 680 more midwives working in the NHS than there were in September 2000. We expect there to be further increases, as a result of an increase in the number of people in training and return to practice initiatives.

Maternity Services

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the proportion of babies born at home and in hospital for the latest year for which figures available; what midwives pay has been on average in each of the past five years; and whether midwives receive extra payment for providing late night and emergency services.

John Hutton: Information relating to home and hospital births is collected by the Office of National Statistics. The latest figures available are shown in the table.
	
		Births occurring in hospital, at home and elsewhere 2001 and 2002 in England
		
			 Year 2001 2002 
			 Births: Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 In hospital 546,070 97.8 547,482 97.7 
			 At home 11,543 2.1 12.055 2.2 
			 Elsewhere(59) 658 0.1 795 0.1 
			 Totals 558,271 100.0 560,332 100.0 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	Note:
	(59) Elsewhere is usually either a private dwelling which is not the mother's usual residence, or on the way to hospital
	From 1 April 2003, midwifery staff directly employed in the National Health Service on national terms and conditions received an above inflation pay increase of 3.225 per cent. Pay has increased across the board for all midwives employed on national terms and conditions by at least 30 per cent in cash terms since 1997.
	All midwives and nurses directly employed in the NHS on national terms and conditions are currently paid and graded in accordance with a nationally agreed clinical grading structure which is shared with nurses. Newly qualified midwives enter the clinical grading structure at grade E.
	The estimated average earnings of nurses and midwives at grades E to I since 1998 is shown in the table. Average earnings for midwives cannot be identified separately.
	
		
			 Year Estimated average earnings £ 
		
		
			 1998 21,100 
			 1999 22,600 
			 2000 23,900 
			 2001 24,900 
			 2002 26,000 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health's staff earnings surveys 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002.
	Notes:
	1. The estimate for 2001 is based on the 2000 earnings survey projected forward in line with the April 2001 pay settlement.
	2. Figures include allowances and overtime.
	3. Figures are rounded to the nearest £100.
	Currently, all midwives directly employed in the NHS on national terms and conditions receive pay enhancements where their working patterns fall outside of normal hours. This includes overtime, special duty payments for work performed late at night and allowances for any emergency duty they are called to do. Full details of the rates of pay and relevant allowances for midwives employed on national terms and conditions are contained in the "Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council Conditions of Service and Rates of Pay." A copy has been placed in the Library.
	The information in this answer relates only to England. Information relating to home and hospital births and the pay and terms and conditions for midwives in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations. Whilst the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Medical Records

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning the addition to medical records of material received from third parties without medical qualifications.

Rosie Winterton: The Department of Health does not publish guidelines on what should be recorded in a patient's medical record; the judgment of what is relevant is left to the responsible health care professionals. However, the General Medical Council (GMC) in its 'Good Practice' guidance provides general advice on the use and content of medical records.
	At present the patient's total national health service medical record consists of a series of paper sub-records divided according to the organisations where the patient has received health care. This means that a patient could have a record for each hospital and other health organisation he/she has attended as well as a general practitioner record. The health care professionals of each organisation are responsible for compiling and maintaining the medical records.
	Should the patient's health care professional judge that some information, from whatever source, could make a contribution to the patient's health care, then it would be appropriate for it to be included in the patient's medical record. The fact the information is contained in the medical record is accepted as having been vetted by health care professionals and relevant to the patient's health and care. The patient cannot at present ask for information from an external source to be added to the medical record.
	Work currently being taken forward by the national programme for information technology will provide an electronic summary record for each patient in England. This record will either hold or provide access to the key information provided by all NHS organisations involved in the patient's care.
	A section of this record will be under the patient's control. They will be able to add comments, including information from third parties (with or without medical qualification), to their records to ensure those records will contain the views and information that they wish to have, in addition to the normal information provided by the NHS.

Mental Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the hospital budget has been spent on mental health services in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Mental health services are provided across a spectrum of hospital and community services, including staff, teams and beds in hospital as well as other settings. Separate data relating to the proportion of hospital budgets alone spent on mental health are not kept. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr. Hurst) on 15 July 2003, Official Report, column 227W, concerning spending on mental health care as a percentage of total hospital and community health service expenditure.

Mental Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish an independent inquiry into the treatment of mental health patients from ethnic minority groups.

Rosie Winterton: We do not consider it necessary to hold an independent inquiry into the treatment of mental health patients from ethnic minority groups.
	However, the Department of Health acknowledges that mental health services are not currently fully meeting the needs of people from black and minority ethnic groups and has an extensive programme of work under way and plans that aim to address this issue.
	Further information is available from: www.nimhe. org.uk about our programme of current work.

Mental Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the accessibility of mental health services to ethnic minority groups.

Rosie Winterton: As part of issuing the report, "Inside Outside", the Department funded a series of consultation events with the black, south Asian, Chinese and Irish communities, to help inform further work on black and minority ethnic mental health. Feedback from groups and from a questionnaire includes their view on accessibility of mental health services. The feedback will be made available and will help to inform the final guidance document to services on black and minority ethnic mental health. The guidance document will be issued for consultation later this year.

Mental Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have received electro-convulsive therapy in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) men, (b) women and (c) ethnic minority group.

Rosie Winterton: The latest information available on electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) is that contained in the Department of Health's publication, "Statistical Bulletin Electro Convulsive Therapy: Survey Covering the Period from January 2002 to March 2002, England". This was a follow-up to an earlier survey of the period January to March 1999. Both surveys were undertaken to provide data on ECT that are not currently available elsewhere.
	The 2002 survey confirmed the continuing downward trend in the number of administrations of ECT. It collected information from national health service and independent sector care settings, including nursing homes, on the total number of administrations of ECT in NHS and independent sector care settings including data on sex, age ethnicity, legal status and method of consent. It found that in the period January to March 2002:
	2,300 patients received ECT treatment compared to 2,800 in 1999;
	there were 700 male patients receiving treatment, compared with 1,600 female patients;
	there were 12,800 administrations of ECT compared to 16,500 in January to March 1999;
	the ethnic group with the highest number of patients receiving ECT treatment was 'white', that is white British, Irish or from other white background, with 1,800 of the 2,300 who received ECT treatment;
	the ethnic group with the lowest number of patients receiving ECT treatment was the 'multi-ethnic origin' group with six of the 2,300 who received ECT treatment. However, the rates for this and some other ethnic groups were based on very small numbers of patients; and
	the spread of the ECT patients among the various ethnic groups was broadly similar to the spread seen in the general population. However, it should be noted the ethnicity category 'not stated' accounted for 18 per cent. of all ECT patients in this survey, more than twice the rate in the 1999 survey. Comparing only those patients receiving ECT whose ethnic origin was reported, 96 per cent. were white, similar to the results from the 1999 survey. However, the proportion of the general population who are white is slightly down to 91 per cent. compared with 92.7 per cent. in 1999. Further information on the ethnicity of ECT patients can be found in Table 8 of the 2002 Survey.
	Copies of the 2002 Survey and the earlier 1999 Survey are available in the Library or can be downloaded from the Department of Health's website at: http://www.doh. gov.uk/public/work health care.htm_menthealth

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he plans to take over the next 12 months to improve the services for (a) ethnic minorities, (b) homeless people and (c) asylum seekers with mental health difficulties.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is continuously seeking to improve mental health services for all, including vulnerable groups such as black and minority ethnic groups, the homeless and asylum seekers with mental health problems.
	For black and minority ethnic groups, following the issue of "Inside Outside" earlier this year, the Department will be issuing draft guidance to services on black and minority ethnic mental health for consultation. This will be in conjunction with a major work programme initiated by the National Institute for Mental Health in England for black and minority ethnic mental health service users.
	Information from the adult mental health services mapping database shows that there were 66 homeless mental health teams, including homeless mentally ill initiative teams, in England in March 2003. Further details of these teams are available at http://www.dur.ac.uk/service.mapping/amh2002/queries/.

Mental Health

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on mental health provision in Somerset in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Figures are not held by English county. The table shows expenditure on mental illness by Somerset health authority and primary care trusts within Somerset.
	
		Somerset health authority area mental illness expenditure
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 1997–98 23,273 
			 1998–99 25,431 
			 1999–2000 28,473 
			 2000–01 31,969 
			 2001–02 51,581 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Expenditure relates to the commissioning of secondary care mental illness only.
	2. Mental illness expenditure includes expenditure by the health authority and primary care trusts on behalf of other NHS bodies. This is a particular factor in the increase between 2000–01 to 2001–02 for Somerset.
	Sources:
	Health authority audited accounts 1997–98 to 1998–99.
	Health authority audited summarisation forms 1999–2000 to 2001–02.
	Primary care trust audited summarisation schedules 2000–01 and 2001–02.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what mental health facilities exist for asylum seekers in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health Care Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust; and what plans are in place to improve facilities in these trusts in 2004–05;
	(2)  what facilities exist for ethnic minorities with mental health difficulties in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health NHS Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust and what plans are in place for 2004–05 to improve facilities for ethnic minorities.

Rosie Winterton: Data are not available in the requested format.
	The Department is continuously seeking to improve mental health services for all, including vulnerable groups such as black and minority ethnic groups, the homeless and asylum seekers with mental health problems.
	For black and minority ethnic groups, following the issue of "Inside Outside" earlier this year, the Department will be issuing draft guidance to services on black and minority ethnic mental health for consultation. This will be in conjunction with a major work programme initiated by the National Institute for Mental Health in England for black and minority ethnic mental health service users.
	Results of the adult mental health services mapping exercise, which provides detailed information on the numbers, functioning and composition of services by local implementation team and strategic health authority boundaries, are available at hhtp://www. dur.ac.uk/service.mapping/amh/index.php.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, 
	(1)  how many early intervention teams have been established in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health Care Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St. Georges Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.
	(2)  how many mental health crisis resolution teams have been established in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health NHS Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.
	(3)  how many mental health crisis resolution teams offer 24 hours cover in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health NHS Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.

Rosie Winterton: Data are not available in the requested format.
	Results of the adult mental health services mapping exercise, which provides detailed indormation on the numbers, functioning and composition of crisis resolution and early intervention teams by local implementation team and strategic health authority boundaries, are available at www.dur.ac.uk/service. mapping/amh/index.php.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities exist for homeless people with mental health needs in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health NHS Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust; and what plans are in place to improve facilities for the homeless in 2004–05.

Rosie Winterton: Data are not available in the requested format.
	The Department of Health provides services for rough sleepers with mental illness through the homeless mentally ill initiative. 32 local authorities will continue to receive support.
	It may also be helpful to know that the adult mental health services mapping database shows that there were 66 homeless mental health teams, including homeless mentally ill initiative teams, in England in March 2003. Further details of these teams are available at http://www.dur.ac.uk/service.mapping/amh2002/queries/

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there are women-only mental health services in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.

Rosie Winterton: Data are not available in the requested format.
	Results of the adult mental health services mapping exercise contains information on women-only services and is available at http://www.dur.ac.uk/service. mapping/amh/index.php.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the level of provision of child and adolescent mental health services in (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health NHS Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.

Stephen Ladyman: Systematic mapping of local child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) provision across England was launched last year and it is intended to repeat this annually. This will provide detailed information on service provision, service activity levels and expenditure on CAMHS by provider trust and by local authority and primary care trust commissioners. Data currently available can be found on the dedicated website at www.dur.ac.uk/service.mapping/CAMH/.
	The Government's strategy for the development of CAMHS, initiated in 1999, has made significant progress in improving the overall quality and accessibility of local services for children and young people with mental health problems. Our current central investment programme of £250 million over the coming three years aims to help secure comprehensive CAMHS in all areas by 2006 in line with the objectives contained in "Improvement, Expansion, Reform—the Priorities and Planning Framework 2003/2006" published by the Department in October 2002.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown of expenditure on mental health provision in each health authority/PCT area in England in each year since 1990.

Rosie Winterton: Breakdown of expenditure on commissioning of secondary care mental illness services from 1992–93 to 2001–02, which is the latest year for which figures are available, has been placed in the Library. Data are not available for 1990–91 and 1991–92 data have not been included because of concerns over its quality.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many primary care mental health workers have been employed by (a) West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust and (b) all mental health trusts;
	(2)  how many primary care mental health workers are employed by (a) Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, (b) Black County Mental Health NHS Trust, (c) Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, (d) Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, (e) Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, (f) Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust, (g) Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, (h) Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust, (i) East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust, (j) East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust, (k) Lancashire Care NHS Trust, (l) Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, (m) Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health, (n) Norfolk Mental Health Care Trust, (o) Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust, (p) Pennine Care NHS Trust, (q) Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust, (r) South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, (s) South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, (t) South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, (u) Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust, (v) Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and (w) Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.

Rosie Winterton: The NHS Plan set out that one thousand new graduate primary care workers trained in brief therapy techniques of proven effectiveness will be recruited to help general practitioners manage and treat common mental health problems. The target date set for local services through priorities and planning guidance is December 2004; training courses have just been established and arrangements to monitor recruitment are currently in hand. This means that the information requested about the employment by specialist trusts of new graduate workers is not yet available.
	However, it may be helpful to point out that our guidance for local services on recruitment suggests primary care trusts, rather than specialised trusts, are likely to be the lead employers. A copy of this guidance may be found on the Department's web site at www.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what improvements the Government is planning for mental health services in England.

Rosie Winterton: The Government's agenda for modernising mental health services in England includes a modern service framework, which sets national standards for the delivery of modern services; a thorough review of the legislative basis for mental health care to reflect modern patterns of treatment and care; and significant additional investment of over £300 million to support the delivery of these targets and services.
	More detailed information about the mental health modernisation programme can be found on our website at www.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth. However, to summarise briefly, the programme includes action to reduce suicide rate and deaths by undetermined causes by 20 per cent. by 2010; reduce the duration of untreated psychosis to a service median of less than three months, (individual maximum less than six months) and providing support for the first three years for all young people who develop a first episode of psychosis by 2004; offer 24-hour crisis resolution to all eligible patients by 2005; deliver assertive outreach to the 20,000 adult patients with severe mental illness and complex problems who regularly disengage from services by December 2003; increase breaks available for carers and strengthening carer support and networks to the benefit nationally of approximately 165,000 carers of people on the care programme approach by 2004; improve mental health care in prisons so that all prisoners with severe mental illness have a care plan by April 2004 (approximately 5,000 prisoners nationally) and ensure appropriate use of secure and forensic facilities by 2004, contributing to the national target of moving 400 patients from high secure hospitals by 2004.
	The Department aims to expand the mental health workforce by employing 1,000 new graduate workers in primary care, 500 community mental health "Gateway" workers, 700 more staff to support carers, 300 prison in-reach staff, 400 staff to support secure step-down by 2004; and 300 extra prison in-reach staff, 500 community development workers for black and minority ethnic communities, 200 staff and six outreach teams for personality disorder and training of 3,000 support, time, recovery, "STR" workers by 2006.
	The Department aims to expand the mental health workforce by employing 1,000 new graduate workers in primary care, 500 community mental health "Gateway" workers, 700 more staff to support carers, 300 prison in-reach staff, 400 staff to support secure step-down by 2004, and 300 extra prison in-reach staff, 500 community development workers for black and minority ethnic communities, 200 staff and six outreach teams for personality disorder and training of 3,000 support, time, recovery, "STR" workers by 2006.
	The Department is also committed to ensuring that, by April 2004, protocols are in place across all health and social care systems for the care and management of older people with mental health problems; and that all child and adolescent mental health services provide comprehensive service including mental health promotion and early intervention by 2006.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of funding per capita is being spent by (a) Adur, Arun and Worthing primary care trust and (b) West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust on services for people with mental health difficulties in the current financial year.

Rosie Winterton: The latest information for 2002–03 on the level of spend per capita in Adur, Arun and Worthing Primary Care Trust will be available in the autumn. Information for the current financial year is not available. The Department of Health does not collect the information requested at National Health Service trust level.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans for improvement his Department has for provision of respite breaks for carers of those with mental health difficulties.

Rosie Winterton: The NHS Plan set a target for 2004 that 700 more staff will be recruited to increase the breaks available for carers and to strengthen carer support networks. In pursuance of this target, all regular carers of people with mental health problems will have been identified, received an assessment and have their own care support plans by 2004 and local support networks for these carers will have been developed. The statutory and voluntary sectors currently provide support to carers, and the Department of Health has developed a service specification for carers; support services, including respite breaks, against which we will measure progress.
	Carers' Grant, introduced in 1999, has provided an extra £225 million over the past four years to increase the number of short breaks for carers to enable them to continue in their caring role. In recognition of its importance to carers, it has been extended for a further three years to 2005–06, by which time it will be worth £185 million to provide extended care and 130,000 further breaks to carers.
	Carers' grant funds can appropriately be used to provide breaks for carers of adults with mental health problems to help meet objectives set out in the mental health national service framework.

Mental Health

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to end the use of adult mental health units for mentally ill children.

Stephen Ladyman: Children and young people who require in-patient mental health care should receive it in a unit suitable for their age and development. This would normally be in a ward or unit designated for their age group, but in certain cases an adult ward may be a necessary short term alternative for some young people, depending upon the nature and urgency of their mental health need.
	The children's national service framework (NSF) will be setting out standards for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). A sub-group has been established to look at the specific needs of children and young people who may require in-patient services. The recommendations of this group will help to inform the mental health component of the children's NSF.
	We are also making a substantial additional investment, some £250 million over three years, to improve CAMHS. This will assist the service to meet the new capacity assumptions set out in the Department's Priorities and Planning Framework, particularly the expectation that all areas will provide a comprehensive CAMHS by 2006.

Methylphenidate

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children prescribed methylphenidate for severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have been regularly monitored to assess improvement in the last year.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not collected centrally. In 2000 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence looked at the use of methylphenidate in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Among other recommendations it concluded that:
	Methylphenidate should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for children with a diagnosis of severe ADHD;
	Children on drug therapy should receive regular monitoring;
	Methylphenidate should be discontinued if improvement of symptoms is not observed after appropriate dose adjustment over one month; and
	Treatment should be initiated by specialists but general practitioners may be involved in continued prescribing and monitoring under shared care arrangements.

Microbiology Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) Health Protection Agency and (b) NHS laboratories which are providing microbiology services for food, water and environmental testing.

Melanie Johnson: The following Health Protection Agency (HPA) laboratories provide food, water and environmental testing services to local authorities in England:
	London Food and Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory;
	Wessex Environmental Microbiology Services, Southampton;
	West Midlands Health Protection Agency Regional Microbiology Laboratory, Birmingham;
	North East Health Protection Agency Regional Microbiology Laboratory, Newcastle;
	Yorkshire and the Humber Health Protection Agency Regional Microbiology Laboratory, Leeds;
	South West Health Protection Agency Regional Microbiology Laboratory, Bristol.
	The HPA also directly manage the following units in National Health Service trust laboratories which provide food, water and environmental testing services to local authorities:
	Kent Environmental Microbiology Services, Ashford;
	The Sussex and Surrey Environmental Microbiology Service, Brighton;
	Food, Water and Environmental Laboratory, Chelmsford;
	Reading Environmental Microbiology Services.
	The following NHS trusts provide food, water and environmental testing services to local authorities, as commissioned by the HPA in accordance with service level agreements:
	Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust;
	Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust;
	Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust;
	Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust;
	James Cook University Hospital NHS Trust;
	Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust;
	Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Trust;
	Northern Lincolnshire and Good Hospitals NHS Trust;
	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust;
	Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust;
	1 Queens Medical Centre, University Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham;
	Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust;
	Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust;
	Royal Shrewsbury Hospital NHS Trust;
	Royal Hull Hospitals NHS Trust;
	Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;
	University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust;
	University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust;
	University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust.
	1 This laboratory provides water and environmental services. Food testing services in this area are provided by the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust.
	This list relates to services to local authorities. In addition, many other NHS trusts undertake limited testing on their own environmental and water samples for hospital infection control purposes.

Mid-Essex Hospital NHS Trust

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) hospital nurse and (b) consultant vacancies there are in the Mid-Essex Hospital NHS Trust.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is shown in the table.
	
		Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2003, vacancies in Mid-Essex Hospital Services Trust three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff in post
		
			   of which: 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery andhealth visiting staff England RQ8 Mid-Essex Hospital Service NHS Trust 
		
		
			 March 2003   
			 Three month vacancy rate (percentage) 2.9 0.8 
			 Three month vacancy number 7,967 7 
			
			 September 2002   
			 Staff in post (whole-time equivalent) 279,287 872 
			 Staff in post (headcount) 346,537 1,237 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2003.
	2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which Trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole-time equivalents).
	3. Three month Vacancy Rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post.
	4. Three month Vacancy Rates are calculated using staff in post from the Vacancy Survey, March 2003.
	5. Nursing staff in post data are from the Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2002.
	6. Consultant staff in post data are from the Medical and Dental March 2003 Mini-census.
	7. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.
	Sources:
	Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2003.
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2002.
	Department of Health Medical and Dental March 2003 Mini-census.

Mid-Essex Hospital NHS Trust

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) general practitioner and (b) practice nurse vacancies there are in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department of Health first carried out a survey into GP recruitment, retention and vacancies in 2000. The information was collected from health authorities. The latest published data are for 2001–02.
	The information available for Essex covers all vacancies outstanding at any time in the 12-month period between 1 March 2001 and 28 February 2002. Essex health authority and South Essex health authority each had 46 general practitioner vacancies which were outstanding at some time in this 12-month period.
	Information on practice nurse vacancies is not collected centrally.

Midwives

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent midwives worked in the NHS in 2001–02; and how many registered midwives worked in the NHS in 2001–02.

John Hutton: The non-medical work force census as at 30 September 2001, the mid-point of 2001–02, shows that 18,048 whole-time equivalent midwives and 23,075 midwives (headcount) were working in the national health service.

Midwives

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio of midwives in post to the total number of births was in (a) England and (b) each NHS maternity unit in each year since 1996–97.

John Hutton: Information on the ratio of midwives to number of deliveries in England and by health authority area for each year between 1996–97 and 2001–02 has been placed in the Library. Reliable information by maternity unit or organisation is not available.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Minister is responsible for (a) complementary medicines, (b) nutrition, (c) the Health Protection Agency, (d) arthritis and (e) obesity.

Rosie Winterton: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health is responsible for complementary medicines, nutrition, the Health Protection Agency and obesity.
	My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State is responsible for arthritis.

Ministerial Visits

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times Ministers in his Department have travelled abroad at public expense since March 2002; what countries they have visited; and what the total cost of each visit was.

Rosie Winterton: Since March 2002, Ministers have travelled abroad to the United States of America, Belgium on three occasions, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway and Switzerland.
	The total costs of these visits are shown in the table:
	
		
			 Destination Costs £ 
		
		
			 United States of America 5,892 
			 Belgium   1. 2.3. 4161,170306 
			 Italy 944 
			 Luxembourg 545 
			 Mexico 10,520 
			 Norway 1,075 
			 Switzerland 668

MMR Vaccine

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the take up has been of the MMR vaccine in (a) Somerset and (b) Dorset in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Information about immunisation rates for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) for children in the Somerset Health Authority and Dorset health authority by their second birthday and by their fifth birthday for the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		Percentage of children immunised against MMR
		
			  Somerset Health Authority Dorset Health Authority 
			   by their 5th birthday(60)  by their 5th birthday(60) 
			  by their 2nd birthday first dose first and second dose by their 2nd birthday first dose second dose 
		
		
			 1997–98 94 - - 93 - - 
			 1998–99 91 - - 90 - - 
			 1999–2000 90 96 87 86 95 83 
			 2000–01 90 96 86 78 95 78 
			 2001–02 88 95 85 82 93 73 
		
	
	Note:
	(60) Information about uptake at age five was collected for the first time in 1999–2000.
	Source:Department of Health, Statistics Division SD3G, COVER data.

MRI Scanners

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many MRI scanners are available to patients in Somerset; where they are located; and how old each scanner is.

Rosie Winterton: There are two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners located within the Somerset area, as shown in the table. In addition, patients in Somerset have access to MRI scanners located within neighbouring trusts as listed.
	
		MRI scanners available to patients in Somerset
		
			 National health service trust Hospital Year installed 
		
		
			 Somerset area trusts 
			 East Somerset Yeovil district hospital 1995 
			 Taunton and Somerset Taunton and Somerset hospital 2001 
			
			 Neighbouring trusts 
			 The Royal United hospital Royal United hospital, Bath 1996 
			 The North Bristol Frenchay hospital, Bristol (two scanners) 1994 and 2002 
			  Southmead hospital, Bristol 2000 
			 United Bristol Healthcare Bristol Royal Infirmary (two scanners) 1992 and 2002 
			  Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre 1996 
			 The Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, Wonford 1995

National Fruit Scheme

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation of the National Fruit Scheme has been completed; and when he will publish the results.

Melanie Johnson: Evaluation of the National School Fruit Scheme pilots was carried out by the Department of Health in 2000 and 2001 to examine the practicalities of operating the scheme within schools and the logistics of the supply and distribution arrangements. The results of this were published in March 2002 in a summary document, "National School Fruit Scheme Evaluation Summary".
	Further ongoing evaluation has been conducted by the Department on the practicalities of implementing the Food Dudes programme in large numbers of schools and on the practicalities of introducing different produce types including carrots and tomatoes. The Department is considering the most appropriate format for publication of these further evaluations. In addition, the New Opportunities Fund has recently commissioned an evaluation of the dietary impact of the scheme.

New Hospitals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which foreign companies have submitted bids to (a) build, (b) staff and (c) run new hospital establishments; and which health trusts (i) have invited bids and (ii) plan to invite bids in the next year.

John Hutton: No information is held centrally regarding the country in which bidders on new hospital establishments are either registered or owned.
	Procurement for standard hospital buildings/facilities can be broken up into two categories: Private Finance Initiative (PFI), including PFI build and PFI Diagnosis and Treatment Centres (DTCs) and publicly funded, comprising the DTC programme and ProCure21 Initiative (ProCure21). Under ProCure21, the capital spend of £1.2 billion per year will be divided between a group of pre-tendered Principal Supply Chain Partners.
	Under the PFI, procurement timetables are held centrally only for major prioritised schemes (capital value over £20 million).
	Listed below are all schemes that have invited bids and are currently in procurement with a capital value of £20 million or over.
	Barts & the London NHS Trust
	University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
	North West London Hospitals NHS Trust
	Mid Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust
	North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
	Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
	Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust
	Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust
	St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust
	Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust
	Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust
	Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust
	University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
	University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust
	United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust
	Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
	Central Manchester Healthcare/Manchester Childrens Hospital NHS Trust
	Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Trust
	University of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
	Southern Derbyshire NHS Trusts
	Listed below are trusts that are currently timetabled to invite bids by advertising in the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) within the next calendar year.
	Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust
	Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust
	St Mary's Hospital NHS Trust
	Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust
	Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
	Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust
	South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust
	Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust
	Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
	The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
	DTCs
	Dudley Hospitals Group
	Swindon NHS Trust
	Hinchingbrooke, Huntingdon
	The following is a list of publicly funded schemes over £20 million that are currently in the procurement stages.
	DTCs
	Princess Alexandra NHS Trust, Harlow
	Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen NHS Trust
	Independent Sector DTCs
	Eleven trusts that published OJEC advertisements in December 2002 with a capital value of £20 million and above are:
	Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Trust
	North Bradford Primary Care Trust
	Burton Hospitals NHS Trust
	Nottingham City Primary Care Trust
	Daventry and South Northants Primary Care Trust
	Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (on its own behalf and on behalf of other NHS bodies)
	Mendip Primary Care Trust
	Plymouth Primary Care Trust
	Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust
	Bristol South and West Primary Care Trust
	South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust
	ProCure21
	The trusts in ProCure21 with schemes with a capital value of £20 million and above are:
	Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
	Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre NHS Trust
	Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals
	Shropshire County PCT
	National Blood Service
	The Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Trust
	Stockport NHS Trust

Diabetes

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed directly in management of diabetes within the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: Of the staff directly involved in the management of diabetes, the workforce census only separately identifies the medical speciality of endocrinology and diabetes mellitus.
	As at 31 March 2003, there were 473 hospital medical consultants within the speciality. This represents an increase of 62 per cent. since September 1997.

NHS (Ethnic Minorities)

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure equal access to the delivery of services within the NHS for ethnic minority groups.

John Hutton: The Department is committed to transforming the national health service so that it produces faster, fairer services with equity of access for all. The creation of more equal access for black and minority ethnic people is an integral and vital aspect of the Department's programme of investment and reform.
	The Department is taking action at a number of levels to ensure equal access to NHS services.
	A primary care trust (PCT) transformational change programme has been jointly sponsored by the Department, the national primary and care trust development programme and Manchester Central PCT aimed at promoting excellence on race equality among PCTs including improving access to services for minority ethnic people.
	A core group of strategic health authority (SHA) chief executives have convened to undertake work to provide practical steps to help SHAs deliver the race equality agenda and improve access for minority ethnic communities.
	The Department is committed to the collection of ethnic origin information using the 2001 Census categories as part of the process of monitoring access to services within the NHS.

NHS (Ethnic Minorities)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown by ethnic minority working within the NHS.

John Hutton: The following table shows the percentage of medical, dental and non-medical staff by ethnic category working in the national health service as at September 2002.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS): Medical, dental and non-medical(61) staff by ethnic category
		
			 England, as at 30 September 2002 Numbers (percentages) 
		
		
			 All staff  100.0 
			  All ethnic groups 73.1 
			 2001 White 58.8 
			 Population Black or Black British 2.3 
			 Census Asian or Asian British 3.1 
			 Ethnic Chinese 0.3 
			 Group Mixed 0.6 
			 Categories Any other ethnic group 1.0 
			  Not Stated 7.0 
			  All Ethnic Groups 26.9 
			 Earlier White 23.7 
			 Ethnic Black 0.7 
			 Group Asian 1.4 
			 Categories Any other ethnic group 0.5 
			  Not Stated 0.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The ethnic breakdown of non medical staff is estimated from the 66 per cent. of HCHS organisation that reported 90 per cent. or more valid ethnic codes on the September 2002 census.
	2. From 1 April 2001, newly appointed staff have been asked to classify themselves using the ethnic categories listed in the 2001 population census. Existing staff will be reclassified over time but data returns currently include a mixture of 2001 categories and older information based on 1991 population census categories.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census. Department of Health non-medical workforce census.

NHS (Health and Safety)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed in management of health and safety within the NHS.

John Hutton: This information is not held centrally by the Department of Health. The National Audit Office report, "A Safer Place to Work—Improving the Management of Health and Safety Risks to Staff in NHS Trusts", reported that 95 per cent. of national health service trusts have a competent person(s) to lead on health and safety matters and that the remaining 5 per cent. of trusts had a vacancy to fill.

NHS Staff

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people are employed in information technology within the NHS, broken down by trust;
	(2)  how many people are employed in risk management within the NHS;
	(3)  how many people are employed within equipment purchasing within the NHS;
	(4)  how many people are employed in patient complaints within the NHS.

John Hutton: The information requested is not separately available, staff employed in information technology, risk management, and equipment purchasing are included in the broader category of "administrative staff employed in central functions" and patient complaints staff are included in "support to doctors and nurses".
	As at September 2002, there were 85,706 administrative staff employed in central functions and 26,302 support workers to doctors and nurses.

NHS Staff

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many administrators were employed in the NHS in each of the last six years;
	(2)  how many managerial and administrative jobs were created in the National Health Service in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: Information on the number of managers and administrators employed in the national health service in each of the last six years is shown in the following table.
	
		NHS Hospital and community health service (HCHS): Administrative and managerial staff by grade as at 30 September each specified year (headcount)
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Total 182,652 185,214 191,738 199,603 211,653 227,303 
			 Clerical and administrative(61) 160,479 162,521 167,451 174,347 184,229 195,009 
			 Manager(62) 14,645 14,706 15,408 16,369 17,684 20,435 
			 Senior manager(62) 7,528 7,987 8,879 8,887 9,740 11,859 
		
	
	(61) Clerical and administrative staff working in central functions. The group includes areas such as personnel, finance, IT, legal services, library services, health eduction and general management support services.
	(62) Managers have overall responsibility for budgets, manpower or assets, or are accountable for a significant area of work. Senior managers include staff at executive level and those who report directly to the board. These staff are essential to the smooth running of hospitals, trusts and Strategic Health Authorities. This excludes nursing, ST and T and ambulance managers in post requiring specific clinical qualifications.
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census.

NHS Staff

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) electricians, (b) gardeners, (c) maintenance engineers and assistants, (d) kitchen staff and (e) cleaners were employed by the NHS in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	Within the non-medical work force census, electricians, gardeners and maintenance engineers and assistants are included in "estates staff" in "hotel, property and estates". Kitchen staff and cleaners are included with "support workers supporting doctors and nurses."
	As at 30 September 2002, there were 12,206 estates staff and 88,285 support workers employed in the National Health Service.
	
		Whole-time equivalent
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Estates (maintenance and works)(63) 13,295 12,715 12,333 12,016 11,758 11,831 
			 Support workers(64) 66,706 65,301 64,140 62,858 63,568 64,018 
		
	
	
		Headcount
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Estates (maintenance and works)(63) 13,614 13,096 12,712 12,413 12,109 12,206 
			 Support workers(64) 93,323 91,157 89,483 87,340 87,843 88,285 
		
	
	(63) Estates staff includes electricians, gardeners and engineers. These are unable to be separately identified.
	(64) Support workers includes kitchen staff and cleaners. These are unable to be separately identified.
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census

NHS Staff

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days off work have been taken by NHS employees each year since 1997 owing to stress; and how much this time off has cost the NHS.

John Hutton: The Department of Health does not collect data centrally on how many days off work have been taken by National Health Service staff owing to work-related stress, or the associated costs.
	The National Office Audit report "A Safer Place to Work—Improving the Management of Health and Safety Risks to Staff in NHS Trusts" reported that stress accounts for 30 per cent. of sickness absence in the NHS.

NHS Staff

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of stress levels among staff in the NHS; and what proposals he has to reduce this level.

John Hutton: The National Audit Office report "A Safer Place to Work—Improving the Management of Health and Safety Risks to Staff in NHS Trusts" reported that stress accounts for 30 per cent. of sickness absence in the National Health Service.
	Integral to the Department's plans for reducing levels of work-related stress in the NHS is the Improving Working Lives (IWL) initiative. IWL sets NHS-wide standards to cover a range of workforce issues, including the provision of childcare, flexible working, improvements to work/life balance, as well as ensuring the provision of counselling services for all staff.

Sexual Health

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed in sexual health within the NHS.

John Hutton: Within a hospital medical setting, sexual health is generally covered by the genito-urinary medicine specialty.
	The number of hospital and community health services medical staff specialising in genito-urinary medicine is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): hospital and CHS medical staff with a specialty in genito-urinary medicine
		
			 England, as at 30 September 2002 Number (headcount) 
		
		
			 All staff 866 
			 of which:  
			 Consultants 274 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.
	General practitioners and nurses are also involved in sexual health issues, as are other health professionals in, for example, family planning clinics. The Department does not collect specific data on the numbers of such staff working in the national health service.

Sexual Health

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department (a) has taken over the last 12 months and (b) plans to take over the next 12 months to stress the importance of sexual health; and what impact such measures have had thus far.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health is continuing to implement the Government's National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, and details of the actions being taken are contained in the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV Implementation Action Plan. Progress on the Strategy's implementation will be monitored by the recently established independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health. The Health Select Committee has recently published its report on Sexual Health and the Government's response to its recommendations will be published shortly.

Sexual Health

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the percentage increase in (a) HIV, (b) chlamydia, (c) syphilis and (d) genital warts was in the last year for which figures are available for (i) Fenland and East Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust and (ii) East Anglia, broken down by (A) sex and (B) those aged (1) 15 and under, (2) 16–19, (3) 20–25, (4) 25–35 and (5) over 35.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not held centrally.

Sexual Health

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were diagnosed as suffering from a sexually transmitted infection in (a) 2002, (b) 2000, (c) 1995, (d) 1990, (e) 1985 and (f) 1980.

Melanie Johnson: Data on diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STI) made within genito-urinary medicine clinics in England for the years 1990 to 2002, plus 1985 and 1980, are listed. These do not include STI diagnoses or treatments made within a primary care setting, for which we do not hold data centrally.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002 644,399 
			 2001 608,726 
			 2000 570,072 
			 1999 533,790 
			 1998 506,908 
			 1997 481,892 
			 1996 451,903 
			 1995 428,938 
			 1994 390,876 
			 1993 363,806 
			 1992 372,282 
			 1991 379,098 
			 1990 367,256 
			 1985 (65)362,700 
			 1980 (66)288,000 
		
	
	(65) Approximation, based on total UK data of 398,547.
	(66) Approximation, based on total UK data of 316,548
	The Government's 10 year National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, launched in 2001, the first ever national strategy for sexual health, is to tackle these rising rates of infections and modernise and improve access to sexual health services.

Sexual Health

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women suffered from (a) syphilis and (b) gonorrhoea (i) in 1997 and (ii) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: The number of people diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhoea are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Year Male Female 
		
		
			 Syphilis (primary and secondary) 1997 98 49 
			  2002 1,062 137 
			 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea 1997 8,418 3,981 
			  2002 16,980 7,417 
		
	
	Note
	Diagnoses in genitourinary medicine clinics only. Data not held centrally on diagnoses in primary care settings.
	The Government's ten year National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, launched in 2001, is designed to tackle these rising rates of infections and modernise and improve access to sexual health services.

Sexual Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding is being dedicated to campaigns raising awareness in England of (a) sexually transmitted diseases and (b) HIV and Aids in 2003–04 and is planned for 2004–05.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health has allocated £3.25 million in 2003–04 for work to prevent, and raise awareness of, sexually transmitted infections, which includes the national 'Sex Lottery' campaign (which also includes information on HIV). In addition, £1.85 million has been allocated specifically for HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness raising activities. In addition, primary care trusts are responsible for meeting the sexual health promotion needs of their local populations and this work is funded from mainstream National Health Service allocations and therefore details of expenditure are not held centrally.

Sexual Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence is of sexually transmitted diseases in England in (a) school-aged children and (b) adults over the age of 50 years.

Melanie Johnson: Centrally held data are available for the following five sexually transmitted infections, broken down according to these age groups.
	
		
			 Condition 15 and under 16–19 45 plus 
		
		
			 Primary and secondary infectious syphilis 4 67 234 
			 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea 1,216 17,654 4,487 
			 Anogenital herpes simplex—first attack 643 11,628 6,259 
			 Anogenital warts—first attack 2,802 59,189 14,739 
			 Uncomplicated chlamydial infection 3,914 67,714 4,793 
		
	
	Source:Health Protection Agency

Overseas Health Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients have been sent abroad for treatment; and at what cost in the last five years.

John Hutton: A total of 477 patients have been referred for treatment abroad as part of the overseas treatment programme in the last five years.
	A centrally funded pilot project took place between January and April 2002 at a cost of £1.1 million. This was extended for orthopaedic treatment overseas, with patients drawn from five different health authority areas at a cost of a further £2.1 million.
	The option of receiving treatment abroad has also been offered as part of two patient choice pilot schemes.
	The London Patients Choice Project (LPCP) has spent a total of £148,766 on funding overseas treatment. This includes all programme costs, for treatment, travel, comprehensive rehabilitation, and out-patient clinics run in the United Kingdom by European clinicians.
	The final costs for the cardiac programme are not available as yet. To date, 19 patients have been treated abroad.

Overseas Health Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long the patients who have been sent abroad by the NHS for treatment had been waiting in their own locality.

John Hutton: The details of the length of time that individual patients have been waiting before receiving treatment abroad is not held centrally. However, the option of going overseas is usually offered to patients who are clinically fit for travel and who have been waiting relatively long periods.

Overseas Health Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the practice of sending patients abroad for treatment.

John Hutton: The Government have made a commitment to developing greater diversity and plurality in healthcare provision in the future. This means that the national health service will be able to explore a range of options to help it deliver shorter waiting times and increase patient choice. These options include more effective use of the independent sector in the United Kingdom, innovative use of capacity in the NHS, and using NHS and independent sector diagnosis and treatment centres. The policy is that wherever possible the NHS should seek to attract overseas providers to the UK. However, where it makes sense in terms of value for money and convenience for patients, overseas treatment does offer a further means to add to the capacity of the NHS, to reduce waiting times and extend the choice available to patients.

Overseas Health Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health where the financial liability lies for follow-up operations which take place in English NHS hospitals following a patient's NHS treatment abroad.

John Hutton: Financial liability for any subsequent treatment needed by national health service patients following treatment abroad rests with the NHS.

Overseas Health Services

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been carried out abroad but paid for by the NHS since January 2001, broken down by operation; and what the total cost to the NHS of each patient's treatment was while abroad including travel expenses.

John Hutton: A total of 477 patients have been referred for treatment abroad as part of the overseas treatment programme since January 2001. Of these, 19 patients have been treated for cardiac procedures, 37 have been treated for ophthalmological procedures and 421 have been treated for orthopaedic procedures.
	A procurement process identifying spare capacity abroad is currently active, so the costs of specific procedures abroad are commercially sensitive. However, prices are comparable to spot purchasing in the United Kingdom private sector.

NHS Beds

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many national health service beds were available in England in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

John Hutton: The average daily number of available beds in wards open overnight in national health service trusts in England is shown in the table.
	
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Average daily number of general and acute 135,080 135,794 136,583 
			 Average daily number of beds in all specialties 186,290 186,091 184,871 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03
	This information is published annually on the Department of Health website at http://www.doh. gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

NHS Counter Fraud Team

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list recoveries worth more than £500,000 secured by the NHS Counter Fraud team since 1997.

John Hutton: Figures dating from 1997 are not available. The National Health Service Counter Fraud Service, now the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS), was formed in 1998, with the overall remit to tackle fraud and corruption within the NHS.
	The CFSMS has, to date, demonstrated a £70 million a year reduction in losses to fraud through preventative action and recovered over £14 million of fraudulently obtained money through our investigative work.
	Individual cases, where in excess of £500,000 has been secured by CFSMS, are shown in the table. There are many other cases, where recoveries have been secured and the individual amounts concerned are less than £500,000.
	
		
			 Subject Amount of recovery (£) 
		
		
			 Pharmaceutical Products Supplier 650,000 
			 Pharmaceutical Products Supplier 1,128,000 
			 Pharmaceutical Products Supplier 1,337,680 
			 Pharmaceutical Products Supplier 1,750,000 
			 Dispensing Doctor (GP) 799,087 
			 Dentist 1,150,000 
			 Total 6,814,767

NHS Dentistry

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data support the 5 rating given to Burley, Pendle and Rossendale primary care trust for access to NHS dentistry.

Rosie Winterton: The indicator in the 2002–03 National Health Service performance ratings relating to access to NHS dentistry asked primary care trusts (PCTs) whether or not they had 'plans in place to enable people to obtain NHS dentistry within local standards, following requests for help through NHS Direct and local inquiry points' at the end of March 2003.
	Therefore, if a PCT met this criteria then, as per the performance ratings scoring system, they were assigned a score of five. Conversely, if a PCT did not meet this criteria at the said date, they would be assigned a score of one. Burley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT reported that it had met the above criteria and thus was assigned a score of five for this particular performance indicator within the 2002–03 NHS performance ratings. This score was then used in conjunction with performance on a wide range of other measures to determine that NHS organisation's performance (star) rating.

NHS Dentistry

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria determine whether a primary care trust qualifies as providing access to an NHS dentist.

Rosie Winterton: Primary care trusts (PCTs) should be able to respond to requests for dentistry whether it is emergency, urgent or routine as defined by the clinical algorithms developed with the dental profession by NHS Direct. For each of these categories of need, the PCT needs to have a distance standard related to local geography, which has been agreed with local stakeholders and published. For emergency care, distance standards would be similar to those for other National Health Service emergency services. A PCT providing full access to NHS dentistry will be achieving compliance with both clinical and distance standards. Not all PCTs fulfil both these sets of criteria.
	The 2002–03 performance indicator for dentistry asked if
	"plans are in place to enable people to obtain NHS dentistry within local standards, following requests for help through NHS Direct and local enquiry points".
	This was to recognise the endeavours of PCTs to address dentistry issues even where they remain unresolved.
	A new NHS dentistry support team has been set up to work with local officials in PCTs with particular issues regarding access to NHS dentistry to help them tackle these problems. The support team will be up and running in September this year, and will have support funding to address particularly acute of long-standing difficulties.

NHS Dentistry

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists are available in the Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT area.

Rosie Winterton: National health service dentists cover dentists in the general dental service (GDS), hospital dental service (HDS), community dental service (CDS) and personal dental service (PDS). Information at primary care trust (PCT) level is not available for the CDS and HDS because these services are provided by NHS trusts, which do not have clearly defined geographical boundaries.
	The latest information for March 2003 is shown in the following table and gives the number of GDS and PDS dentists who carry out the majority of the work in Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT.
	These figures are on a headcount rather than whole-time equivalent basis and take no account of part-time working. Dentists working in both PDS and GDS are counted in the GDS only.
	
		NHS Dental Services: Number of dentists in Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT, as at 31 March 2003
		
			  Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT(67) 
		
		
			 GDS dentists 98 
			 PDS dentists(68),(69) 12 
		
	
	(67) Dentists who carry out the majority of their work in the PCT.
	(68) Dentists working in the PDS who are not also working in the GDS.
	(69) West Sussex Community PDS scheme covers Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT.

NHS Dentistry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there are in the Chorley constituency; and what steps he is taking to increase the number of NHS dentists in the Chorley constituency.

Melanie Johnson: The information on the number of dentists in the Chorley constituency is shown in the table.
	
		General and Personal Dental Service: number of dentists in the Chorley and South Ribble constituency area
		
			 Health authority/primarycare trust(70) GDS dentists Salaried dentists PDS dentists(71) 
		
		
			 At 30 September 2002   
			 South Lancashire HA 100 1 3 
			 
			 At 31 March 2003
			 Chorley and South Ribble PCT 56 1 3 
		
	
	(70) Only dentists with the majority of patients in the South Lancashire HA and the Chorley and Ribble PCT are included.
	(71) Dentists working in the South Lancashire PDS pilot who are not also working in the GDS.
	Notes:
	1. Dentists are free to work in more than one health authority or primary care trust, therefore, dentists who do some work in this area HA/PCT but more in another HA/PCT have not been included.
	2. NHS dentists cover dentists working in the General Dental Service (GDS), Hospital Dental Service (HDS), Community Dental Service (CDS), Personal Dental Service (PDS) and Salaried Service of the GDS.
	3. The number of GDS dentists includes Principals, Assistants, Vocational Dental Practitioners.
	4. These figures are on a headcount basis rather than a whole time equivalent (wte) basis and therefore take no account of part-time working. In the GDS, the amount of time spent working in the NHS varies greatly with a large proportion of dentists doing some private work. Dentists working solely in private dentistry are not covered in these figures.
	I understand that Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority is working with the local Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust (PCT) on access to national health service dentistry. Chorley and South Ribble PCT has plans in place to enable people within Chorley to obtain NHS dentistry service.

NHS Direct

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been of NHS Direct.

Rosie Winterton: Since March 1998, NHS Direct sites have been funded from a top-sliced central budget. The total costs of the service since 1998–99 are given in the table.
	
		
			  Total cost (£ million) 
		
		
			 1998–99 14 
			 1999–2000 55 
			 2000–01 90.1 
			 2001–02 109.7 
			 2002–03 124

NHS Direct

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost is per call to NHS Direct.

Rosie Winterton: The average cost of a call to NHS Direct is currently about £18.00, although this is expected to fall further in the future as call volumes rise. The National Audit Office has found that half of callers are directed to forms of care they would not have chosen and that this tends to be care of a lower level and cost of intervention. More than half of NHS Direct costs are saved in this way.

NHS Direct

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified nurses work for NHS Direct, broken down by grade.

Rosie Winterton: There are approximately 1,100 whole-time equivalent nurses working for NHS Direct. Specific information about NHS Direct nurses broken down by grade is not collected centrally.

NHS Direct

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls were made to NHS Direct in each year since it was set up.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows how many calls have been made to NHS Direct since its launch in March 1998.
	
		
			 Financial year Total calls handled Cumulative total calls 
		
		
			 1998–99 110,000 110,000 
			 1999–2000 1,650,000 1,760,000 
			 2000–01 3,420,000 5,180,000 
			 2001–02 5,213,062 10,393,062 
			 2002–03 6,318,844 16,711,906 
			 2003-July 2004 1,653,344 18,365,250

NHS Direct

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many different callers have used NHS Direct in each year since it was set up.

Rosie Winterton: NHS Direct has handled over 18 million calls since the service was launched in March 1998, and NHS Direct Online has had over 8 million visitors. Specific information is not available on how many different callers have used NHS Direct each year since the service was set up.

NHS Direct

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses and (b) managers are employed by NHS Direct.

Rosie Winterton: Currently all NHS Direct members of staff are employed by their host organisation trust. NHS Direct employs approximately 1,100 whole-time equivalent nurses across the 22 NHS Direct sites. Specific information about the number of managers employed by NHS Direct is not collected centrally.

NHS Direct

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budgeted cost of NHS Direct in financial year 2003–04 is.

Rosie Winterton: The total budgeted cost for the NHS Direct telephone service, NHS Direct Online, and other related services for the financial year 2003–04 is £124 million.

NHS Direct

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health from how many sites NHS Direct operates; and how many staff are employed at each site.

Rosie Winterton: Specific information on how many staff are employed at each of the 22 NHS Direct sites is not collected centrally. The following table outlines the number of nurses and call handlers based at each site.
	
		
			  Staff in post FTE 
			 Sites Nurses Call handlers Total FTE 
		
		
			 1. Anglia 38.63 15.22 53.85 
			 2. Avon 47.53 29.43 76.96 
			 3. Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 47.80 23.17 70.97 
			 4. East Midlands 70.80 36.21 107.01 
			 5. Essex 50.03 24.95 74.98 
			 6. Hampshire 56.31 15.60 71.91 
			 7. Kent, Surrey and Sussex 64.83 28.70 93.53 
			 8. Manchester 87.35 41.40 128.75 
			 9. Midlandshires 55.26 33.72 88.98 
			 10. North and Central London 22.68 12.94 35.62 
			 11. North East 56.76 28.00 84.76 
			 12. North East London 23.20 16.70 39.90 
			 13. North West Coast 76.51 18.48 94.99 
			 14. South East London 36.58 23.39 59.97 
			 15. South West London 25.60 12.60 38.20 
			 16. South Yorkshire 39.63 26.80 66.43 
			 17. TENYAS 34.70 13.10 47.80 
			 18. Thames Valley 46.50 15.20 61.70 
			 19. West County 59.27 29.80 89.07 
			 20. West London 38.70 22.60 61.30 
			 21. West Midlands 50.47 24.96 75.43 
			 22. West Yorkshire 52.93 24.45 77.38 
			 Total 1,082.07 517.42 1,599.49

NHS Direct

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of calls to NHS Direct result in (a) no further action being taken by the caller, (b) the caller being advised to contact their GP, (c) the caller being advised to attend an accident and emergency department and (d) an ambulance being summoned to the caller's location.

Rosie Winterton: 45 per cent. of calls to NHS Direct result in no onward referral to another service, 35 per cent. of callers are advised to contact their general practitioner, 7 per cent. of callers are advised to attend an accident and emergency department, and 3 per cent. of callers required an ambulance dispatching to the caller's location.
	Source:
	NHS direct data April 2003-June 2003.

NHS Direct

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed by NHS Direct, broken down by (a) grade and (b) salary.

Rosie Winterton: Currently, all NHS Direct members of staff are employed by their host organisation trust. Specific information about the number of people employed by NHS Direct, broken down by grade and salary is not collected centrally. Approximately 3,000 members of staff are employed by NHS Direct.

NHS Fraud/Inefficiency

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to reduce the levels of (a) financial waste, (b) fraud and (c) inefficiency in the NHS; and what progress has been made over the last 12 months.

John Hutton: The Department of Health monitors and manages the performance of the national health service in the delivery of the key targets set out in the NHS Plan. In addition, the NHS is subject to external independent audit by the Audit Commission and the National Audit Office. They publish a number of studies each year on the value for money of aspects of the NHS. The Department of Health considers each of these reports, and implements their recommendations where appropriate.
	The Counter Fraud Service, now Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS), was formed in September 1998, with a remit to tackle fraud and corruption within the NHS. It established a risk measurement programme to carry out an exhaustive examination of valid samples of cases in each area of NHS spending and to produce statistically robust estimates of fraud accurate to plus or minus 1 per cent. of losses. These exercises are among the first of such exercises to be undertaken anywhere in the public or private sectors.
	The first measurement exercise concentrated on patient fraud. To deter and prevent patient evasion of NHS charges and to increase the anti-fraud culture, point of dispensing and point of treatment checks were introduced. These checks require patients to provide proof of exemption to charges. The measurement exercises have already demonstrated a reduction in fraudulently claimed exemption to these charges from approximately £170 million to £109.17 million per year, a reduction of 36 per cent. since 1998.
	Over 1,400 cases of potential fraud have been detected and investigated. This has resulted in 160 successful criminal prosecutions with 98 per cent. success rate, 215 civil and disciplinary sanctions have been applied and over £14 million recovered. Additionally, over £31 million of fraud has been identified and stopped.
	As action takes place to counter fraud in the NHS the measurement process will be repeated to demonstrate what progress has been made to reduce fraud to an absolute minimum.
	In addition, governance arrangements have been improved to ensure the necessary standards of accountability, probity and openness through the introduction in 1999 of the Controls Assurance Standards.

NHS Finance

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the balance of income and expenditure of health authorities and the NHS trusts in England for the financial year ending 31 March.

John Hutton: The audited information in respect of the 2002–03 financial position of all national health service organisations will be published in their individual annual accounts and will be available locally in September and centrally in the autumn.

NHS Finance

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he is planning to meet the chairmen of NHS trusts to discuss administrative costs.

John Hutton: My right hon. Friend will meet chairs of national health service trusts on 9 September; a wide range of issues will be discussed.

NHS Finance

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the NHS funding budget was for Shropshire in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the budget of Shropshire Primary Care Trust was in each year since 1997 and will be in each year up to 2005–06;
	(3)  what the budget of Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust was in each year since 1997 and will be in each year up to 2005–06.

Stephen Ladyman: Revenue allocations for Shropshire Health Authority, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust and Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust are shown in the tables.
	
		Total allocation for Shropshire HA 1997–98 to 2002–03
		
			 Period £000 
		
		
			 1997–98 169,555 
			 1999–99 178,325 
			 1999–2000 247,650 
			 2000–01 270,975 
			 2001–02 295,252 
			 2002–03 326,945 
		
	
	
		Total allocation to PCTs comprising the former Shropshire HA 2003–04 to 2005–06 -- £000
		
			 Period Shropshire County PCT Telford and Wrekin PCT 
		
		
			 2003–04 230,545 124,364 
			 2004–05 252,424 136,914 
			 2005–06 275,548 152,918 
		
	
	Allocations for 1999–2000 onwards are not comparable with those for 1997–98 and 1998–99 which cover hospital and community health services only. 1999–2000 was the first year of unified allocations, which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary general medical services.
	From 2003–04 allocations are made to PCTs.

NHS Hospital Trusts

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospital trusts have general hospitals in different towns.

John Hutton: Of the trusts in England with more than one general hospital, 75 per cent. have hospitals in more than one town. The remaining 25 per cent. have all their hospitals in the same town.

NHS Recruitment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many advertisements for non-clinical jobs within the NHS have been advertised in the national press each year since 1997; and at what cost.

John Hutton: The Department of Health does not hold this information centrally.
	The Department is currently commissioning a national electronic recruitment service for the National Health Service. It will link with NHS Careers to provide a web-based service advertising posts, providing information about careers, jobs and NHS employers, and an electronic application process, supported by a call centre service to provide flexible, interactive access to information and job and training opportunities. The new service will enable the NHS to reduce its recruitment and advertising costs.

NHS Recruitment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget his Department has in the current year for job advertisements.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not have a budget specifically for job advertisements, but does have a recruitment budget, which for the current year is £300,000. The costs for job advertisements are met from this budget.

NHS Recruitment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each primary care trust spent on advertising job positions in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.

John Hutton: The Department of Health does not hold this information centrally.
	The Department of Health is currently commissioning a national electronic recruitment service for the National Health Service. It will link with NHS Careers to provide a web-based service advertising posts, providing information about careers, jobs and NHS employers, and an electronic application process, supported by a call centre service to provide flexible, interactive access to information and job and training opportunities. The new service will enable the NHS to reduce its recruitment and advertising costs.

NHS Professionals

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts are using NHS Professionals.

John Hutton: There are currently 75 national health service trusts using NHS Professionals. These are listed.
	NHS trusts using NHS Professionals
	Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust
	Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust
	Basildon PCT
	Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals Trust
	Bath and North East Somerset PCT, Bath
	Billericay PCT
	Central Liverpool PCT
	Chelmsford PCT
	Cherwell Vale PCT, Oxfordshire
	Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester
	Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Stourbridge
	East and North Herts NHS Trust, Stevenage
	East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
	Epping Forest PCT
	George Eliot NHS Trust, Nuneaton
	Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Trust
	Harlow PCT
	Lancashire Care NHS Trust, Preston
	Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Leicester
	Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT
	Mid Essex Hospitals Trust
	Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Wakefield
	Milton Keynes PCT
	North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol
	North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust
	North East Oxfordshire PCT
	North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
	North Mersey Community NHS Trust
	North Middlesex University Hospital
	Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust
	Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust, Oxford
	Oxford City PCT
	Oxford Learning Disability NHS Trust
	Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
	Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust
	Pennine Care NHS Trust
	Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Oldham
	Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow
	Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham
	Redditch and Bromsgrove PCT
	Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust
	Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
	Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust
	Royston, Buntingford and Bishops Stortford PCT
	Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust
	Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	South East Oxfordshire PCT
	Southend Hospital Trust
	South Leeds PCT
	South Manchester University Hospitals Trust
	South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, Middlesbrough
	South West Oxfordshire PCT
	South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust
	South Worcestershire PCT
	St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust
	St. Mary's NHS Trust, London
	Stockport NHS Trust
	Stoke Mandeville Hospitals NHS Trust
	Suffolk West PCT
	Thurrock PCT
	United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
	University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
	University Hospital, Nottingham NHS Trust
	Uttlesford PCT, Essex
	Walsall PCT
	Walton Neurology and Neurosurgery NHS Trust, Liverpool
	West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust
	West Middlesex University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust
	Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
	Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
	Worcestershire SSA
	Wyre Forest PCT

NHS Salaries

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to NHS trusts about limits on staff salaries.

John Hutton: The Department does not issue guidance to national health service trusts on limits to individual staff salaries. In each of the five years from 1998–99 to 2002–03, the Department issued guidance recommending a financial envelope for increases in each organisation's pay bill for senior managers.

NHS Costs

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the rate of increase of NHS specific costs on an annualised basis.

John Hutton: In order to estimate the rate of increase of national health service costs annually, the Department of Health uses the Hospital and Community Health Services pay and prices inflation. For 2001–02 (the latest year for which data are available), the pay and prices percentage growth over the previous year was 5.1 per cent.

NHS Trust Chief Executives

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trust chief executives have resigned in each of the past five years.

John Hutton: We do not collect any information on national health service trust chief executive resignations. This information is not monitored by the Department of Health and therefore not held centrally.

NHS Walk-in Centres

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many NHS walk-in centres have been been established in the UK;
	(2)  how many NHS walk-in centres there are in England.

John Hutton: There are 42 National Health Service walk-in centres in the United Kingdom.

NHS Walk-in Centres

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people are employed in NHS walk-in centres, broken down by (a) grade and (b) salary;
	(2)  how many (a) nurses and (b) managers are employed by NHS walk-in centres;
	(3)  how many staff are employed at each NHS walk-in centre.

John Hutton: This information is not held centrally.

NHS Walk-in Centres

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the locations of NHS walk-in centres in England.

John Hutton: A full list of National Health Service walk-in centres and their location had been placed in the Library. This information can also be found at www.doh.gov.uk/nhswalkincentres

NHS Whistleblowers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many whistleblowers have been suspended from work within the NHS as a result of allegations and complaints in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many staff within the NHS have been suspended from work as a result of allegations by whistleblowers in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

John Hutton: Information on the number of suspensions of staff working in the national health service, specifically relating to whistleblowing is not colleted centrally, but may be held at a local level by NHS employers.
	The Government expect a climate of openness and dialogue in the NHS that encourages staff to feel able to raise concerns about health care matters sensibly and responsibly without fear of victimisation.
	The Department of Health will shortly be issuing new guidance to all NHS employing organisations to support them in developing and/or reviewing their whistleblowing policies and procedures. A copy of the policy pack, which has been produced in partnership with Public Concern at Work, will be placed in the Library.

NICE Guidance

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to issue guidance on wounds and injuries.

Rosie Winterton: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has already published guidance on the prevention of pressure ulcers, infection control and the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds. It is now preparing a suite of guidelines on this topic which will be published over the period August 2003 to April 2006. Full details of this work programme and the anticipated publication dates are available on the NICE website at: www.nice.org.uk

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make nicotine replacement therapy available through the NHS.

Melanie Johnson: Nicotine replacement therapy products were made available on national health service prescription in April 2001.

Non-Executive Appointments

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list non-executive appointments to NHS bodies in the last two years, broken down by political affiliations.

Rosie Winterton: The National Health Service Appointments Commission will be publishing its annual report in the autumn of 2003, listing the names of all chairs and non-executives serving on NHS boards and giving details of any political activity undertaken. The current overall figures for political activity undertaken by candidates appointed in the last two years are shown in the table.
	
		
			Chair   Non-executive   Total 
			 Party Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2001–02   
			 Conservative 11 6.96 40 4.42 51 4.79 
			 Independent — — 7 0.81 7 0.66 
			 Labour 31 19.62 212 23.40 243 22.84 
			 Liberal Democrat 7 4.43 38 4.19 45 4.23 
			 None 109 68.99 603 66.56 712 66.92 
			 Other — — 6 0.69 6 0.59 
			
			 2002–03   
			 Conservative 9 4.92 63 5.87 72 5.73 
			 Independent — — 16 1.58 16 1.35 
			 Labour 43 23.50 125 11.64 168 13.37 
			 Liberal Democrat 3 1.64 25 2.33 28 2.23 
			 None 127 69.40 842 78.40 969 77.09 
			 Other 1 0.57 3 0.30 4 0.34

Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses were recruited by the NHS in 2002.

John Hutton: Information on the number of recruits to the national health service is not collected centrally. Information on the number of nurses employed in the NHS is collected in the non-medical workforce census, but does not distinguish between leavers and joiners. Between September 2001 and September 2002, there was a net increase of 17,140 nurses employed in the NHS.
	The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) publishes an annual statistical report which includes information about the number of nurses and midwives entering the register. This data can be found on the NMC website at www.nmc-uk.org.uk.

Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the nurses who are employed by the NHS are (a) set to retire in the next five years and (b) under the age of 30.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table. Information about the age profile of practice nurses is not collected centrally. The information provided therefore excludes practice nurses.
	As at 30 September 2003, the non-medical workforce census shows that there were 346,537 qualified nurses (excluding practice nurses) working in the national health service. Of these 20,309, or 5.8 per cent., were aged 55 to 59, 5,509, or 1.6 per cent., were aged over 60 and 48,774, or 14 per cent., were aged under 30.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff by specified age bands—England as at September 2002 -- headcount
		
			  All staff Up to 30 55 to 59 Over 60 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Of which 
			 All qualified staff 346,537 48,774 20,309 5,509 
			 Nurse consultant 330 8 7 (72)— 
			 Manager 5,784 118 480 97 
			 Registered sick children's nurse 12,288 3,157 410 94 
			 Registered midwife 23,249 2,038 1,495 361 
			 Health visitor 12,774 262 1,606 448 
			 District nurse (1st level) 12,141 497 1,227 279 
			 District nurse (2nd level) 1,252 43 136 43 
			 Other 1st level 255,712 41,383 13,015 3,482 
			 Other 2nd level 18,450 1,268 1,933 704 
			 Unspecified 4,557 (72)— (72)— 1 
		
	
	(72) Equals zero
	Notes:
	Other 1st level and 2nd level include staff coded as community psychiatric nurses (CPN) and community learning disability nurses (CLDN) with a specific recordable community qualification.
	Source:
	Department of Health 2002 non-medical workforce census.

Nurses

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many agency nurses were employed in Leicestershire hospitals on average in 2002–03; and what proportion this represented of total nursing staff.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not collected centrally.

Nurses

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of nurses in training.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan sets out the Government's commitment to increase the number of nurses and midwives in training by 5,500 each year by 2004 over 1999 levels. Since 1999 the number of nurses and midwives entering training each year has increased by 4,474 to 23,181.
	We have increased funding for nurse training by over 100 per cent. since 1997-from £752 million in 1997–98 to £1,517 million in 2003–04. We are working closely with the higher education sector to increase capacity and look at innovative ways to boost the number of practice placements.

Nurses

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what checks his Department conducts on the qualifications of agency nursing personnel; and what assistance his Department gives to (a) hospital trusts and (b) health authorities in checking the qualifications of agency nursing staff.

John Hutton: Providers of temporary staffing should conform to the principles and standards in the Department's Code of Practice for the Supply of Temporary Staffing when supplying temporary staff to the National Health Service. NHS employers should ensure that they request a declaration of adherence to the code of practice when engaging with a provider of temporary staff. The code states that information relating to the staff member's qualifications, training and membership of professional bodies should be obtained by the provider. In addition, the Nurses Agencies Regulations 2002 require nurses agencies to ensure that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to a nurse's qualifications, training and current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council before supplying the nurse.

Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many nurses recruited into the NHS in each of the last three years have come from overseas;
	(2)  how many nurses were recruited from overseas in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and from which countries.

John Hutton: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registers all nurses who work in the United Kingdom and it is the NMC that hold the statistics for the number of overseas nurses who are accepted on to their register.
	This information can be obtained from the NMC at www.nmc-uk.org
	The NMC statistics details nurses that are registered to work in the United Kingdom and not just in the National Health Service. A large proportion of these nurses will be working in the independent sector.

Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many practice nurses were in place in GP surgeries in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	Between 1998 and 2002, the number of practice nurses employed in the national health service has increased by 2,089 or 11 per cent.
	
		Practice Nurses(73) in England 1997–2002 -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Practice nurses 18,894 19,495 19,200 19,846 20,983 
		
	
	(73) Practice nurse headcount information was estimated in 1998 and 1999. Data as at 1 October 1998–99 and 30 September 2000–02.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Nurses

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the number of practice nurses working in GP surgeries.

John Hutton: The Government is implementing a range of measures to increase the numbers of staff working in the national health service, including practice nurses. These include an increase in pay, encouraging the NHS to become a better employer through the "Improving Working Lives and Positively Diverse" programmes, increasing training commissions, reducing student attrition, running national and local recruitment and return to practice campaigns, and supporting international recruitment where appropriate. In addition, we have recently developed a dedicated NHS Careers factsheet on practice nursing, to promote further careers and opportunities in this field. A copy of the factsheet is available in the Library.
	As a result of these measures, there are now over 2,500 more practices nurses working in the NHS since 1997 (NHS Workforce Census). This has contributed in helping to meet the NHS Plan target for 20,000 more nurses two years ahead of schedule.

Obesity

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action (a) has been taken and (b) is planned to address NHS provision for the management of overweight and obese patients that were identified as patchy in the National Audit Office report on Tackling Obesity in England.

Melanie Johnson: The NHS Plan and the national service framework for coronary heart disease (CHD) (launched after the National Audit Office survey), sets standards for health authorities in partnership with local authorities, primary care trusts (PCTs) and NHS trusts, for the development and delivery of effective policies for reducing overweight and obesity, promoting healthy eating and increase physical activity.
	The NHS Priorities and Planning Framework for 2003–06 includes targets on reducing CHD. One of these targets requires practice-based registers and systematic treatment regimes, including appropriate advice on diet, physical activity and smoking, to cover the majority of patients at high risk of coronary heart disease, particularly those with hypertension, diabetes and a body mass index greater than 30 (that is, people who are obese).
	PCTs, as local providers and commissioners of services, determine the most appropriate methods to deliver health care to their populations, based on clinical need and effectiveness, as well as local circumstances, drawing on the available evidence. The Health Development Agency will publish their review of effective interventions for the prevention and treatment of obesity later this year. Work on how to put the evidence into practice is also being taken forward.
	In line with recommendations of the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the Health Development Agency have been tasked by the Department of Health to work collaboratively to develop guidance on the identification, prevention and management of obesity and maintenance of weight reduction.

Obesity

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to produce national guidelines for the management of obesity in addition to those which are part of the National Framework for Coronary Heart Disease and Diabetes; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Following publication of the Government's strategy for sustainable farming and food, the Department of Health is leading on developing a cross-Government food and health action plan. The plan will pull together all of the issues that influence what we eat and will address food production, manufacture and preparation, access to healthier food and providing information for consumers about healthy eating and nutrition, which is of direct relevance to the prevention and management of obesity.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has already issued national guidance on the anti-obesity drugs orlistat and subutramine, treatment with which should be accompanied by appropriate advice on diet, activity and behavioural strategies. NICE has also issued guidance on surgery to aid weight reduction for people with morbid obesity and have been tasked, in collaboration with the Health Development Agency, to develop guidance on the identification, prevention and management of obesity and maintenance of weight reduction.
	To ensure there is a co-ordinated and strategic approach to the planning and delivery of sport and physical activity, an activity co-ordination team (ACT) has been established. The team, jointly led by the Department of Health and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, will set out a cross-government strategy to work towards the challenging target for 70 per cent. of the population to be active by 2020. The Department of Health has published a national quality assurance framework for exercise referral systems, offering guidance to primary care and fitness professionals, who work together to offer tailored exercise and physical activity programmes to patients.
	The Department has also supported the development guidance for professionals in primary care on weight management in children and adolescents, produced by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and National Obesity Forum. We are also funding research on family-based treatment for obese children that will include resources for health professionals.
	The Health Development Agency will publish their review of effective interventions for the prevention and treatment of obesity later this year. Work on how to put the evidence into practice is also being taken forward.

Obesity

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to tackle obesity in children.

Melanie Johnson: The Government are committed to tackling the rising trend in childhood obesity and we have put in place cross-Government programmes of work to improve diet and nutrition and increase physical activity levels. Commitments for action on obesity, diet and physical activity are outlined in the NHS plan and the national service frameworks, particularly those outlining action on coronary heart disease and diabetes.
	The Department of Health is leading on developing a cross-Government food and health action plan. The plan will pull together all of the issues that influence what we eat and will address food production, manufacture and preparation, access to healthier food and providing information for consumers about healthy eating and nutrition. Action on physical activity will be guided across Government by an activity co-ordination team, jointly led by the Department of Health and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. These initiatives will be of direct relevance to the prevention and management of obesity in children and adults.
	Current action on diet includes initiatives to increase breastfeeding (breastfed babies may be less likely to become obese later in life than formula fed babies); reform of the welfare foods programme to use the resources more effectively to ensure children in poverty have access to a healthy diet; a five-a-day programme which includes the National School Fruit Scheme; the Healthy School Programme; the Food in School programme and nutritional standards for school lunches. Work is also under way with the food industry to improve the overall balance of diet including salt, fat and sugar in food, working with the Food Standards Agency.
	Current action on physical activity includes the transformation over the next three years of physical education, school sport and club links and the building and refurbishment of physical education and sports facilities in schools. In addition, the Department of Health, together with Sport England and the Countryside Agency is leading on a local exercise action pilots (LEAP) programme, which includes children and young people as one of its target groups.

Official Publications

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since July 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The accounting general ledger system is unable to differentiate between official publications and campaign materials. To separate the data in the manner requested would incur disproportionate cost.

Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the NHS was of (a) a hip replacement, (b) a hysterectomy, (c) a cataract extraction, (d) a tonsillectomy, (e) a kidney transplant and (f) a hernia operation in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: The most up to date costs published by the Department of Health are for the financial year 2001–02 and are shown in the table. The costs detailed represent the national average cost in the national health service for all NHS patients treated as an in-patient or day case. These costs are collected using healthcare resource groups (HRGs), which are groups of treatments that are clinically homogeneous and have similar costs. Therefore, the treatments the HRGs contain are less specific than those listed in the question.
	
		
			 HRGcode HRG label Average (£) 
		
		
			 H01 Bilateral Px Hip Replacement 4,831 
			 H02 Primary Hip Replacement 4,360 
			 M07 Upper Genital Tract Major Procedures (Hysterectomy) 2,077 
			 B02 Phakoemulsification Cataract Extraction with Lens Implant 671 
			 B03 Other Cataract Extraction with Lens Implant 740 
			 C24 Mouth or Throat Procedures—Category 3 (Tonsillectomy) 793 
			 C34 Mouth or Throat Procedures—Category 4 (Tonsillectomy) 1,114 
			 L01 Kidney Transplant 14,208 
			 F71 Abdominal Hernia Procedures >69 or w cc 1,902 
			 F72 Abdominal Hernia Procedures <70 w/o cc 1,225 
			 F73 Inguinal Umbilical or Femoral Hernia Repairs >69 or w cc 1,165 
			 F74 Inguinal Umbilical or Femoral Hernia Repairs < w/o cc 831

Operations

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are on planned waiting lists for (a) cataract operations and (b) other operations in each English health authority; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Information on the number of patients waiting on a planned list is not collected centrally.

Operations

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many follow-up operations have taken place in English NHS hospitals following a patient's operation abroad which was paid for by the NHS.

John Hutton: Of the 477 patients who have received treatment abroad under the overseas treatment programme, three have received follow-up operations upon their return to the United Kingdom.

Organ Donors

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered organ donors there were in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area.

Rosie Winterton: The chart lists the number (in thousands) of people who joined the National Health Service organ donor register between 1997 and 2002 by health region in England and Wales. The information is not available by local authority area.
	
		(thousands)
		
			 Region 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Eastern 95 78 133 119 67 93 
			 London 84 118 115 121 78 115 
			 North West 94 80 175 120 71 99 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 88 81 210 126 76 117 
			 South East 151 132 251 217 128 186 
			 South West 106 83 154 131 87 115 
			 Trent 77 64 141 91 61 87 
			 West Midlands 74 57 122 92 58 77 
			 Wales 33 30 29 51 34 40 
			 Total 802 723 1,330 1,068 660 929

Pain Relief

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to assist people living with persistent pain; what pain relief drugs are available; and if he will make a statement on the (a) effectiveness of such drugs and (b) problems with their side effects.

John Hutton: Pain management is an important component of most patients' care. The Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) report on pain services, published in 2000, highlighted variations in access to pain services throughout the country. The report made recommendations to National Health Service acute trusts and commissioners on how pain services should be delivered in order to reduce the variations to access. It recommended that primary care trust commissioners should review local provision of pain services, looking particularly at the provision of more specialised treatments on a networked basis. In this review, account should be taken of the needs of both adults and children, and include patients with acute pain resulting from sudden illness or accident, as well as post-operative pain and chronic pain. Trusts should agree with commissioners the services that are appropriate to meet local needs.
	All medicines are assessed before licensing by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with independent expert advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM). A licence will not be granted unless the MHRA and the CSM are satisfied that the medicine meets appropriate standards of safety, quality and efficacy at the time of licensing.
	Details of the different classes of medicines used in the treatment of persistent pain and their side effects are contained within the British National Formulary (section 4.7, page 208, BNF 45, March 2003), a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

Pain Relief

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available for research into pain relieving drugs; if he will make a statement on the current status of cannabis for pain relief uses; and what progress has been made in discussions on the use of cannabis for medical purposes.

Melanie Johnson: The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body that receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. The MRC is currently funding a number of projects investigating the mechanisms of pain that could eventually lead to the development of pain relieving drugs. Information on these projects can be found on the MRC website.
	The Department of Health funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the National Health Service. Current projects include a £0.6 million study of the comparative effectiveness of topical and oral Ibuprofen for the treatment of chronic knee pain in older people and a £0.6 million study of interventions for pain relief in patients with abdominal malignancy. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the NHS.
	A marketing authorisation has not been issued for cannabis for pain relief uses. Like any other medicinal product, cannabis can be granted a marketing authorisation for medical purposes only when supporting data have been submitted to demonstrate that the quality, safety and efficacy of the product are satisfactory for the intended use.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the figures for waiting lists for in-patient treatment in individual trust areas described in his Department's Press Release 2003/0253, published on 4 July, were not used in his answer to question ref 124998, tabled by the hon. Member for West Chelmsford.

John Hutton: holding answer on 17 July
	The figures for waiting lists for inpatient treatment given in my response to the hon. Member of Monday 14 July, Official Report, column 128W, are those used in the Department of Health's Press Release 2003/0253, which was published on 4 July 2003.

Patient Deaths

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of relative levels of patient deaths among patients treated by nurses with university qualifications.

John Hutton: The Department does not collect patient specific information about the precise qualifications held by staff involved with patient care.

Patient Residence Criteria

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department uses to decide whether a patient is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom; and what guidance his Department has issued on this matter.

John Hutton: "Ordinarily resident" is a common law concept considered by the House of Lords in 1982 in the case of R v. Barnet LBC ex parte Shah. Although the case being considered was in the context of the Education Acts, the Lords' interpretation is generally recognised as having a wider application. To be considered ordinarily resident a patient needs to be living lawfully in the United Kingdom voluntarily and for settled purposes as part of the regular order of their life for the time being, with an identifiable purpose for their residence here which purpose has a sufficient degree of continuity to be properly described as settled.
	It is for individual national health service trusts to decide whether a particular patient is ordinarily resident and therefore entitled to the full range of NHS treatment free of charge, or is liable to pay for hospital treatment under the provisions of the National Health Service (Charges for Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989. The Department of Health issued guidance to the NHS on this in 1988. Updated guidance was issued on 29 July 2003.

PET Scanners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many positive emission topography scanners are in use in the NHS;
	(2)  how many private PET scanners are in use in the UK;
	(3)  how many PET scanners used by the NHS have been purchased through (a) mainstream hospital trust expenditure, (b) new opportunities fund lottery funding and (c) voluntary fund raising.

Melanie Johnson: There are five positron emission tomography (PET) scanners in national health service hospitals in England used for routine clinical assessments. They are situated at Guys, St. Thomas', Middlesex, Mount Vernon and Hammersmith hospitals. In addition three private facilities including a new mobile PET scanner in London are available for NHS patients.
	The two scanners situated at Guys and St. Thomas' were purchased through a combination of funding from the hospital trust, the United Medical and Dental Schools and charitable funding from the unit's special trustees. The scanner at the Middlesex hospital was funded by the unit's special trustees. The scanner at Mount Vernon hospital was funded from charitable funds and the scanner at Hammersmith hospital was provided through a charitable donation.

Pre-eclampsia

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women suffered from pre-eclampsia in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of women who suffer from pre-eclampsia is not available. The estimated number of non-delivery episodes in hospital with a mention of pre-eclampsia (ICD Code O14) in 2001–02 is 4,500. The estimated number of deliver episodes with a mention of pre-eclampsia in 2001–02 is 9,300.
	This is not the same as the number of women with pre-eclampsia as the number of delivery episodes and non-delivery episodes may overlap. For example, a woman with pre-eclampsia may have one or more episodes in hospital before her delivery and she may also have a mention of the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia during her delivery episode.
	The information provided is taken from the Maternity Hospital Episode Statistics and can be found in Tables 27 and 28 of the bulletin, NHS Maternity Statistics, England, 2001–02. A copy is available in the Library or at Department of Health website: http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0309.htm

Pregnancy-related Deaths

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women have died in each of the last 10 years from pregnancy-related causes.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department does not collect the information in the format requested. However, the table, taken from the latest report on the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom (CEMD), shows the direct and indirect maternal deaths and mortality rates per 100,000 maternities reported to Registrars and the CEMD; United Kingdom, for each triennium since 1988.
	
		Direct and indirect maternal deaths and mortality rates per 100,000 maternities reported to Registrars General and to the CEMD; United Kingdom 1998–99
		
			  Triennium 
			  1988–90 1991–93 1994–96 1997–99 
		
		
			  Maternal deaths known to Registrars General 
			 Number 172 150 175 142 
			 Rate 7.3 (74)6.5 (75)8.0 (76)6.7 
			  
			  Direct deaths known to inquiry 
			 Number 145 128 134 106 
			 Rate 6.2 5.5 6.1 5.0 
			  
			  Indirect deaths known to inquiry 
			 Number 93 100 134 136 
			 Rate 4.0 4.3 6.1 6.4 
			  
			  Total known to inquiry 
			 Number 238 228 268 242 
			 Rate 10.1 9.8 12.2 11.4 
			  
			  Total maternities 
			 Number 2,347,529 2,317,328 2,197,640 2,123,614 
		
	
	(74) Final ONS revised figures for 1991–93: the rate available at the time for the publication of the 1991–93 report was 6.0.
	(75) England and Wales figures for 1994 now include underlying cause and mentions (ICD9 630–676).
	(76) The rate for 1994–96 in the previous report was 7.4.

Private Health Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of private beds available in national health service trust hospitals.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 164W.

Private Health Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) Department of Health and (b) NHS employees are entitled to private medical care as an employment benefit.

John Hutton: Both the locally negotiated terms and conditions of service for employees of the Department of Health, and the nationally negotiated terms and conditions for staff working in the National Health Service make no provision for any entitlement to private medical care.

Professional Negligence

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid to cover professional negligence claims on Leicestershire hospitals in each year since 1997–98; and what proportion each sum represented of those hospital budgets.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not collected.

Psychotropic Medication

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to local specialist services for people with severe challenging behaviours on the use of (a) educational, (b) behavioural, (c) environmental and (d) dietary stategies in preference to psychotropic medication.

Stephen Ladyman: The report of the Mansell Committee (HMSO) 1993) provided guidance aon services for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. Our White Paper "Valuing People" (Cm 5086), published in March 2001, notes that psychotropic medication may be very effective if someone has an underlying psychiatric disorder but points out that there is concern that too often this medication is used as an alternative to adequate staffing. The interventions to be used will depend on the individual situation and the factors that are contributing to the nature and severity of the behaviours that occur.

Public Bodies

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many agencies his Department has created since May 1997; what their purpose is; and how many staff each employs.

John Hutton: The Department has created two executive agencies since 1997. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency was set up on 1 April 2000, with staff transferred from the Department of Health. The agency's purpose is to modernise and improve the performance of the national health service purchasing and supply system, and become and centre of expertise, knowledge and excellence on matters of purchasing and supply for the NHS. The agency negotiates national contracts for the benefit of the NHS in England. The agency has 314.5 whole-time equivalent members of staff.
	The Department created the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 1 April 2003 following the decision to merge the Medicines Control Agency and the Medical Devices Agency. The MHRA is responsible for the regulation of medicinal products and medical devices in the United Kingdom. It also represents national interests in the regulation of these sectors at European level. The number of staff employed by the MHRA as at 1 April 2003 was estimated to be 644.

Racial Harassment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what action his Department is taking to tackle racial harassment in NHS workplaces;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to eradicate racism in the NHS.

John Hutton: Linked to improving working lives we have the national positively diverse programme to support employers in working towards eradicating racism in the national health service.
	One hundred and seventy NHS organisations are taking part in the national programme, with 10 lead sites exploring, developing and disseminating practical ways of managing diversity in the NHS for the benefit of both staff and users of the service in the health care work force.
	The development of black and minority ethnic networks at local (trust) and regional levels has also been actively encouraged with seed funding being provided by the Department of Health.

Redundancies

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff have been made redundant in the NHS as a consequence of the reorganisation of area health authorities into strategic health authorities.

John Hutton: Over 20,000 staff from health authorities and regional offices of the Department of Health transferred employment into primary care trusts and new strategic health authorities on 1 April 2002. In order to minimise redundancies and to ensure that valuable skills are not lost to the national health service all staff were guaranteed employment for a 12-month period ending 31 March 2003. At the end of this period 234 staff had been unable to find a suitable post and were made redundant and/or took early retirement.

Research

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that all public funded research is recorded and made freely available to (a) patients, (b) health professionals, (c) the public and (d) members of the scientific community.

Melanie Johnson: The Department funds the National Research Register (NRR) and the Research Findings electronic Register (ReFeR). The NRR is a database of ongoing and recently completed research projects funded by, or of interest to, the National Health Service. The ReFeR is a database of findings from the NHS research and development programme and the Department's policy research programme. Both registers can be accessed through the Department's R and D website at www.doh.gov.uk/research.
	The national electronic Library for health provides health professionals and the public (through NHS Direct Online) with knowledge and know-how to support health care related decisions. The electronic Library for social care makes knowledge available to social care practitioners, managers, service users and carers.

Research

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of Department of Health research funding was spent on research into (a) heart disease, (b) obesity, (c) strokes and (d) arthritis in the last 12 months.

Melanie Johnson: The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology. Available figures for 2001–02 are shown in the following table. Disease-specific spend data for 2002–03 is still being collated and figures will be available in the autumn.
	
		
			 MRC spend in 2001–02 £ million 
		
		
			 Circulatory disease 26.3 
			 Obesity 2.1 
			 Stroke 3.9 
			 Arthritis and rheumatism 4.2 
		
	
	The Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the NHS. Spend by the Department's national research programmes in the four subject areas is shown in the following table.
	
		DH spend in 2002–03 (main national programmes)
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 Heart disease 1.4 
			 Obesity 0.1 
			 Stroke 0.6 
			 Arthritis 0.3 
		
	
	Management of much of the research supported by national health service research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department. The Department also provides support for research commissioned by charities and the research councils that takes place in the NHS.
	Annual figures for net spend on research and development by the MRC and the Department are published in "The Forward Look 2003" which is available on the Office of Science and Technology website at www.ost.gov.uk/research/forwardlook03.

Retired Surgeons/Anaesthetists

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Department of Health's policy is on the use of retired surgeons and anaesthetists.

John Hutton: All practitioners aged over 65 may continue to practice if it is regarded by their employer as being in the interest of the service. Employment contracts may be extended for one year at a time, until the age of 70. National health service trusts may employ practitioners over the age of 70 but it is the trust's responsibility to ensure that the practitioner is suitably qualified and fit, both mentally and physically to undertake the duties of the post.
	The Department of Health has published guidance "Reviewing your retirement options: Consultants and senior hospital doctors", to support consultants who wish to continue working beyond the retirement age.

Rough Sleepers

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to (a) primary care trusts and (b) health care professionals to improve access to health services by homeless people.

John Hutton: holding answer 15 July 2003
	The Department has not issued guidance to primary care trusts on this issue, but reminded general practitioners, in the February 2003 issue of its monthly newsletter, "GP Bulletin", that National Health Service primary medical care is available to homeless people who do not need to have a permanent address to register for services.

Salt

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer in relation to salt in nutrition.

Melanie Johnson: This Government are committed to reducing population average intakes of salt, and as 75 per cent. of the salt comes from processed foods, has called on industry to take a meaningful lead in reducing the salt content of processed foods. The Chief Medical Officer's (CMO's) 2002 Annual Report urged:
	"the food industry—including manufacturers, retailers and caterers to drive down the salt content of food—a potentially life saving measure".
	The Department along with the Food Standards Agency is holding meetings with food sectors representing the main contributors to salt intake and other key stakeholders to achieve this goal.
	CMO endorses and supports the recommendation to reduce the population average intake of salt, which is the principle source of sodium, from 9g to 6g/day and the recent recommendations for children's salt intake by the Scientific Advisory Committee of Nutrition. Even a small reduction in sodium intake can help to reduce the burden of high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in our population.

Sex Equality and Discrimination Directive

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on the NHS of the proposed Directive on sex equality and discrimination.

John Hutton: The Department of Health is committed to providing equality of opportunity in all aspects of its work. All policy development must support the core principles of the NHS Plan, one of which states that the national health service of the 21st century must be responsive to the needs of different groups and individuals within society and challenge discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability and sexuality.
	While as yet there is no official published Directive text, once a draft Directive is put forward by the European Commission (EC) the United Kingdom Government will aim to work positively and constructively with the EC and other member states on extending the existing sex discrimination legislation to cover goods and services and to ensure that the final agreement fully reflects UK priorities and concerns.

Shrewsbury Hospitals

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) consultants and (b) nurses were employed in (i) the Princess Royal Hospital and (ii) the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS) consultants and nursing staff (actual numbers)
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 March 2003(77) 
		
		
			  Princess Royal Hospital National Health Service Trust 
			  
			 (a) HCHS medical and dental consultants 34 32 36 38 40 40 44 
			 (b) nursing staff(78) 348 377 390 405 418 425 (79)— 
			   
			  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals National Health Service Trust 
			 (a) HCHS medical and dental consultants 74 83 83 89 95 98 107 
			 (b) nursing staff(78) 783 796 815 832 928 988 (79)— 
		
	
	(77) Figures for 1997 to 2002 are as at 30 September. 2003 data are as at 31 March.
	(78) Nursing staff shows qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff.
	(79) Denotes figure not available.

Shrewsbury Hospitals

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) out and (b) in-patient treatments there were at (i) the Princess Royal Hospital and (ii) the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Out-patient treatments at Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital—consultant out-patient attendances for all specialties, 1997–98 to 2002–03
		
			  First attendances seen Subsequent attendances seen Total attendances seen 
		
		
			  Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust 
			 2002–03 44,178 76,001 120,179 
			 2001–02 42,868 75,632 118,500 
			 2000–01 42,068 84,311 126,379 
			 1999–2000 41,039 80,051 121,090 
			 1998–99 38,547 76,678 115,225 
			 1997–98 39,218 75,977 115,195 
			 
			  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 2002–03 64,141 86,512 150,653 
			 2001–02 57,937 88,570 146,507 
			 2000–01 55,537 86,594 142,131 
			 1999–2000 49,734 89,783 139,517 
			 1998–99 41,260 86,545 127,805 
			 1997–98 40,627 86,797 127,424 
		
	
	Note:
	Total out-patient attendance figures are for the whole course of treatment that covers the initial consultation through to follow ups after any in-patient admission. Treatment is taken in its widest sense and not just that a procedure or operations has taken place.
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH09.
	
		In-patient treatments at Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital—finished consultant episodes and finished in-year admissions
		
			  Finished episodes In-year admissions FCEs 
		
		
			  Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust 
			 2001–02 32,486 27,710 
			 2000–01 29,108 26,418 
			 1999–2000 28,450 25,660 
			 1998–99 26,252 24,311 
			 1997–98 25,397 23,288  
			  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust 
			 2001–02 63,720 56,976 
			 2000–01 61,042 54,489 
			 1999–2000 60,525 53,845 
			 1998–99 59,686 53,611 
			 1997–98 56,973 50,947 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Grossing: figures have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	2. A finished consultant episode (FCE): defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	3. Admissions are defined as the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Shrewsbury Hospitals

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds there were at (a) the Princess Royal Hospital and (b) the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The average daily number of available beds in wards in wards opening overnight in the Princess Royal National Health Service Trust and the Royal Shrewsbury NHS Trust is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Princess Royal HospitalNHS Trust (RKF) Royal ShrewsburyHospitals NHS Trust(RLZ) 
			 Year All beds General and Acute All beds General and Acute 
		
		
			 2001–02 346 346 541 479 
			 2000–01 342 342 516 454 
			 1999–2000 345 345 499 431 
			 1998–99 336 336 486 417 
			 1997–98 308 308 462 393 
		
	
	This information is published annually on the Department of Health website at http://www.doh. gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

Shrewsbury Hospitals

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) capital and (b) other grants and allocations were made to the Princess Royal hospital in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Capital Allocations to the princess Royal Hospital National Health Service Trust since 1996–97 are shown in the table.
	
		(£) thousands
		
			 Financial Year Capital Allocation 
		
		
			 1996–97 2,260 
			 1997–98 1,069 
			 1998–99 1,180 
			 1999–2000 3,735 
			 2000–01 2,634 
			 2001–02 4,540 
			 2002–03 2,575 
		
	
	Information on other grants made from, the Department of Health to the princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust since 2000–2001 are shown in the table.
	
		(£s)
		
			  2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003 
		
		
			 Hospital cleanliness 50,000 40,000 0 
			 Ward budgets 45,000 0 0 
			 Improving staff working environment 25,000 0 0 
			 Ward housekeepers 55,000 0 0 
			 NHS menu 7,000 0 0 
			 Reforming emergency care (A and E nurses) 0 18,321 73,561 
			 Reforming emergency care (A and E networks) 0 4,100 17,000 
			 Theatre projects 0 0 25,000 
			 Sexual health and HIV strategy 0 0 10,000 
		
	
	It is not possible to provide information on other grant prior to 2000–01, as this would incur disproportionate costs.

Shrewsbury Hospitals

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) waiting list numbers and (b) waiting times were for (i) in-patients and (ii) out-patients at the Princess Royal hospital in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Sibutramine

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions have been (a) issued and (b) issued to children for sibutramine.

Rosie Winterton: In 2002, 197,000 prescription items of sibutramine were dispensed in the community in England. Of these, it is estimated that 1,000 items were dispensed to children. There is no information available on the number of children who received sibutramine. Information is not held centrally about drugs prescribed and dispensed in hospitals.

Sibutramine

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been prescribed sibutramine for (a) up to four weeks, (b) one to three months, (c) three to 12 months and (d) longer than 12 months.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not held centrally. However guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends that people should continue with treatment for more than four weeks only if they have lost 2 kg in weight, and beyond three months if they have lost at least 5 per cent. (5 kg for each 100 kg) of their body weight from the start of the drug treatment. Treatment is not recommended for more than 12 months.

Smoking

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the future use of the terms light and mild on cigarette packets.

Melanie Johnson: The Government recognise that certain terms can be used to suggest that one tobacco product is less harmful than another. We are therefore committed to banning the use of "misleading descriptors."
	The Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) Regulations 2002 prohibit the supply of tobacco products, "the packaging of which carries any name, brand name, text, trademark or pictorial or any other representation or sign which suggests that that tobacco product is less harmful to health than other tobacco products." The supply of such cigarette packets must cease as of 30 September 2003.
	The Government would expect the prohibition to include terms such as "light" and "mild".

Smoking

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to pilot the scheme running at hospitals in Norwich to help patients following the ban on smoking in the hospitals.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department of Health has no plans to pilot national smoking prevention schemes. With the changes under "Shifting the Balance of Power", it is now for strategic health authorities and their primary care trusts to introduce smoke-free policies.
	The Chief Medical Officer's annual report recommended to Government, that among other recommendations, employers should plan to introduce smoke free workplaces; the public sector and health service should take the lead and this year set dates by which their premises will become entirely smoke free.
	The Department of Health are also running a pilot study, led by St. George's hospital, to look into developing a toolkit of introducing a smoking cessation service/policy within hospitals. The results of this study should be available in 2005. We have also asked the British Thoracic Society to undertake a survey of hospitals to see what smoking policies they have introduced.

Smoking

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer in relation to smoking in public places.

Melanie Johnson: The Chief Medical Officer's report should leave no-one in any doubt that second-hand smoke is an important public health issue, and the Government are looking very closely at the Chief Medical Officer's recommendations. We wish to ensure real progress is being made in the availability of smoke-free public places.
	In our 1998 White paper, "Smoking Kills", we agreed that completely smoke-free places are the ideal. The World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the UK signed in June 2003, also called for action to protect people from tobacco smoke. Taking action on smoking in the workplace and in public places is an important element of international best practice in tobacco control.
	We also want to increase the public's awareness of the real health risks from second-hand smoke: not merely the discomfort caused by being in a smoky atmosphere. That is why we have launched an education campaign, making everyone aware of the need to protect others, particularly children, from the harm caused by second-hand smoke. From 1 April 2003, the Department of Health has also taken a lead in making all our buildings smoke-free and we will be encouraging others to follow this lead.

Smoking

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what basis the Government used for establishing smoking cessation targets for primary care trusts.

Melanie Johnson: There are national targets. Primary care trusts (PCTs) have not been set smoking cessation targets. PCTs were asked to plan together with their strategic health authorities how to support the national Priorities and Planning Framework (PPF) target:
	"to reduce the rate of smoking contributing to the national target of: reducing the rate in manual groups from 32 per cent. in 1998 to 26 per cent. by 2010; 800,000 smokers from all groups successfully quitting at the four week stage by 2006".

Smoking

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government has spent centrally on smoking cessation advertising and awareness campaigns since 1995; and what central allocations have been made in the current year.

Melanie Johnson: International evidence shows that key elements in any tobacco control strategy are advertising and public education. In the 1998 White Paper, "Smoking Kills", the Government committed itself to a programme of public education to persuade smokers to quit and non-smokers not to start.
	Education and media campaign spending is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year £ millions 
		
		
			 1995–96 5.5 
			 1996–97 6.5 
			 1997–98 16.5 
			 1998–99 2.7 
			 1999–2000 15.9 
			 2000–01 13.73 
			 2001–02 13.3 
			 2002–03 13.0 
			 2003–04 (80)14.2 
		
	
	Note:
	(80) Expenditure to date
	This funding includes expenditure on telephone helplines per annum for the NHS Smoking Helpline—£1.1 million; the NHS pregnancy smoking helpline—£152,000; and the NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline—£78,500. £15 million over the three years from 2003–04 to 2005–06 will be available to key health charities, beginning with the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK to develop hard-hitting messages on the dangers of smoking.

Smoking

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government have spent centrally on smoking cessation programmes in each year since 1997; and how much has been allocated in the current year.

Melanie Johnson: The national health service stop smoking services were launched in 1999. The services received a total of £76 million over a four year period 1999–2000 to 2002–03.
	A further £138 million has been allocated over the three years 2003–06.

Smoking

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department tracks smokers who have given up for longer than four weeks through the smoking-cessation services.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health does not require the national health service stop smoking services to track smokers who have given up for longer than four weeks, although some services do. Follow-up at four weeks was chosen as a viable, practical way to ascertain initial success, following advice from experts in smoking cessation.
	Data from 52-week follow up were originally collected for clients who set a quit date in specialist services in health action zones in 1999–2000. A high proportion of clients were lost to the service and some services found that 52-week follow up took disproportionate resources.

Solvent Misuse

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken to implement the recommendations arising from the seminar 'Young People and Solvent Misuse: Developing a Shared Approach', held on 19 November 2002.

Melanie Johnson: The report on outcomes from the seminar 'Young People and Solvent Misuse: Developing a Shared Approach' was circulated to delegates in August. The Department is setting up a national stakeholder group to support the development and implementation of the Department's Action Plan on Volatile Substance Misuse. The stakeholder group will take account of recommendations arising from the seminar.

Speech and Language Therapists

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there are in Leicestershire for speech and language therapists; and what proportion this represents of the total number of such posts in Leicestershire.

Stephen Ladyman: Information on vacancies is collected via the National Health Service Workforce Vacancy Survey. The Survey defines a vacancy as one that has lasted for three months or more which employers are actively trying to fill.
	From the latest information available there are no three-month vacancies for speech or language therapists in Leicestershire.

Standing Medical Advisory Committee

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the membership is of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The current membership, at 18 July 2003, of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee (SMAC) is:
	Dan Ash*— President, Royal College Radiologists
	Nick Astbury*— President, Royal College of Ophthalmologists
	Susan Benbow—Old Age Psychiatrist (Manchester)
	Carol Black*—President, Royal College of Physicians
	Ian Bogle*—Chairman, Council of the British Medical Association
	Graeme Catto*—Chair, General Medical Council
	John Chisholm GP and Chairman of GMSC (London)
	Alan Craft*—President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
	William Dunlop*—President Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Chair of the Joint Consultants Committee
	Sian Griffiths*—President, Faculty of Public Health Medicine
	Bill Gunnyeon*—Dean, Faculty of Occupational Medicine
	David Haslam*—Chairman, Council of the Royal College of GPs
	Peter Hutton*—President Royal College of Anaesthetists
	Brian Jarman—Professor of Primary Care (London)
	Flora Jessop—Specialist registrar histopathology (Cambridge)
	James Johnson*—Chairman, Council of the British Medical Association
	Bruce Keogh—Cardiothoracic Surgeon (Birmingham)
	Tamara Madej—Consultants Anaesthetist (York)
	Peter Morris*—President, Royal College of Surgeons of England
	John Newton—Epidemiology Research (Oxford/Southampton)
	Ken Nischal—Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon/Paediatrics (London)
	Colin Roberts—Medical Microbiologist (Oxford)
	Angela Robinson—Consultant/Honorary Senior Lecturer GU/HIV (London)
	Martin Roland—General Practitioner (Manchester)
	Mike Shooter*—President, Royal College of Psychiatrists
	Sunil Sinha—Consultant Paediatrician (Middlesbrough)
	Susan Tuck—Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (London)
	James Underwood*—President, Royal College of Pathologists
	* Denotes ex-officio member.
	Information about SMAC can be found on the Department of Health website at http://www.doh. gov.uk/smac/index.htm.

Stolen NHS Property

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value is of NHS property stolen from NHS premises during each of the previous five accounting years and so far during this accounting year.

John Hutton: Historically, there has been no routine collection of this kind of information. Individual health bodies are required to keep registers of losses, which are retained locally.
	The Counter Fraud and Security Management Service, launched on 1 April 2003 is currently reviewing the management of security within the national health service.

Stroke Units

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many hospitals have a specialist stroke unit; and what percentage of hospitals this represents;
	(2)  what progress has been made towards the target of 100 per cent. of hospitals having a specialist stroke unit by April 2004.

Stephen Ladyman: The most comprehensive source of information is the National Sentinel Stroke Audit, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. The audit was commissioned by the national health service in 1998 and was last updated in 2002. The results can be found at http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/pubs/strokeaudit01–02.pdf. The 2002 audit shows that 73 per cent. of trusts who participated had a stroke unit compared to 56 per cent. three years earlier. The audit shows that 80 per cent. of trusts that participated have a consultant physician with specialist knowledge of stroke who is formally recognised as having principal responsibility for stroke services. While it is recognised that some services need to increase their capacity, the audit notes that very significant improvements have already been made.
	Our major vehicle for further improving standards for stroke services is through the older people's national service framework (NSF) which sets specific milestones for improvement by 2004 of stroke services in primary care trusts, specialist services and general hospitals that care for people suffering from a stroke. Our document, "Improvement, Expansion and Reform", which sets for the NHS a Priorities and Planning Framework for 2003–06, makes clear that implementation of the older people's NSF is a top priority, and that the 2004 milestone around specialist stroke services is a key target.
	We monitor progress against the key milestones in the NSF. From the information gathered so far we know that 83 per cent. of the hospitals who have replied, now have plans to have a specialist stroke service in place by April 2004.
	Implementation of the NSF for older people is leading to real improvements in stroke services and making a difference to people's lives. The development of better services and improved standards in stroke care requires the right balance between national standards, provided by the NSF, national clinical guidelines and local control. It will be important to ensure that stroke care services are co-ordinated and fully integrated within a full range of other relevant local services.

Stroke Units

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stroke units there are in the NHS; and where they are.

Stephen Ladyman: We do not routinely collect the information requested. The most comprehensive source of information is the National Sentinel Stroke Audit, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. The audit was commissioned by the National Health Service in 1998 and was last updated in 2002. The results can be found at http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/pubs/strokeaudit01–02.pdf. The 2002 audit shows that 73 per cent. of trusts who participated had a stroke unit compared to 56 per cent. three years earlier. The audit shows that 80 per cent. of trusts that participated have a consultant physician with specialist knowledge of stroke who is formally recognised as having principal responsibility for stroke services. While it is recognised that some services need to increase their capacity, the audit notes that very significant improvements have already been made.
	Our major vehicle for further improving standards for stroke services is through the older people's national service framework (NSF) which sets specific milestones for improvement by 2004 of stroke services in primary care trusts, specialist services and general hospitals that care for people suffering from a stroke. Our document, Improvement, Expansion and Reform, which sets for the National Health Service a Priorities and Planning Framework for 2003–6, makes clear that implementation of the older people's NSF is a top priority, and that the 2004 milestone around specialist stroke services is a key target.
	We monitor progress against the key milestones in the NSF. From the information gathered so far we know that 83 per cent. of the hospitals who have replied, now have plans to have a specialist stroke service in place by April 2004.

Sugar

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to restrict the amount of sugar in foods manufactured primarily for children.

Melanie Johnson: The NHS Plan and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) nutrition action plan identify Government commitment to working with the food industry to improve the overall balance of the diet. This includes aspects of food content relating to salt, fat and sugar.
	The FSA and the Department are in discussions with industry on reducing salt in foods. Work on sugars and fat will follow subsequently.

Suicide

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in meeting the "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" target on suicide reduction.

Rosie Winterton: The "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" target is to reduce the death rate from suicide and undetermined injury by at least a fifth by the year 20010, from a baseline of 9.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 1995–97 to 7.4 deaths per 1,000,000 population in 2009–11.
	The suicide rate for the single year 2001, the most recent available, was the lowest recorded. The European Age Standardised Rate in 2001 was 8.9 per 100,000 population, a decrease of 5 per cent. on 2000 which was 9.3. There was also a fall in mental health in-patient suicide in 2001.
	As the only full-year figures we have since the publication of the "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" strategy are for 2000 and 2001, it is still too early to assess progress in meeting this target. Current trends do not as yet provide a robust indication of the effect of the strategy. If the trend of the last three years continues, then the target will be met, however this is much too short a period from which to extrapolate a robust trend.

Sun Creams

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures were taken in the last 12 months to promote the use of sun protection creams over the 2003 summer.

Melanie Johnson: The United Kingdom Health Departments have funded the SunSmart sun awareness campaign run by Cancer Research UK. One of the key messages of the campaign's health promotion materials (leaflets, posters and factcards) is "to use a factor 15+ sunscreen". The campaign and its materials have been widely publicised in both national and local media.

Testicular Cancer

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department has taken over the last 12 months to raise awareness of testicular cancer and the importance of self-checking, with specific reference to men aged under 35 years; and what further measures he plans to take in the future.

Melanie Johnson: Testicular cancer is almost always curable if found early. The disease responds will to treatment even if it has spread to other parts of the body. More than nine out of 10 patients are cured.
	There is currently no method by which a man can reduce his risk of developing the disease, but awareness of its early signs and symptoms should be encouraged. Men should be aware of any unusual changes and consult doctors early in order to ensure the maximum chance of a cure. That is why, in April last year, we collaborated with Cancer Research UK in the production of a testicular self-awareness leaflet, "Testicular Cancer: Spot the Symptoms Early".
	We are also currently working with the Department of Psychiatry of Disability at St. George's Hospital Medical School on the production of testicular awareness materials for men with learning difficulties.

Teeth

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have had impacted third molars removed in each year since 1997; and how many showed signs of pathology in their teeth.

Rosie Winterton: The number of children who have had impacted third molars removed in England in 1997–98 to 2002–03 is shown in the table. Children are defined as being under 18 years of age. Records of the pathology of the teeth prior to extraction are recorded as part of the patient's clinical notes, but are not collected centrally. Nevertheless, the table provides encouraging evidence of progress on implementation of the recommendations that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) made in 2000 that the routine prophylactic removal of pathology-free wisdom teeth should be replaced by standard routine follow-up.
	
		General, Personal and Hospital Dental Service: Number of children who have had impacted third molars removed in 1997–98 to 2002–03, England
		
			  Total General Dental Service(81) Personal Dental Service(81) Hospital Dental Services(82) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1997–98 (83)3,700 (83)2,100 0 1,544 
			 1998–99 3,562 1,861 10 1,691 
			 1999–2000 2,685 1,356 9 1,320 
			 2000–01 1,842 891 6 945 
			 2001–02 1,516 724 5 787 
			 2002–03 n/a 684 5 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = data not available.
	(81) Based on dental treatment claims for payment.
	(82) Number of admissions for surgical removal of impacted third molar based on finished consultant episodes. Patients may have more than one admission within a year.
	(83) Estimated using figures for number of teeth extracted in the general dental service.
	Sources:
	(84) Dental Practice Board.
	(85) Hospital Episode Statistics.

Treatment Availability

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the (a) efficacy and (b) availability within the NHS of (i) gold, (ii) Enbrel and (iii) Remicade.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) was asked to appraise the use of infliximab (Remicade) and etanecerpt (Enbrel) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. NICE issued its guidance on 22 March 2002, which recommended the use of etanecerpt for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and etanecerpt and infliximab for adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Clinicians will still be responsible for exercising judgment in individual cases in the light of NICE's guidance and the evidence on which it was based.
	Gold therapy may be used to suppress the disease process in rheumatoid arthritis. It may be given by intramuscular injection as sodium aurothiomalate, or given by mouth as auranofin.
	These drugs are available on the national health service for use in cases where the clinician and patient decide this is the best option.

Tuberculosis

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis in (a) 2002, (b) 2000, (c) 1998, (d) 1996 and (e) 1994.

Melanie Johnson: Statutory notifications to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre of the Health Protection Agency show that the number of people diagnosed with pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis in England and Wales for the years mentioned are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Notifications 
		
		
			 1994 5,591 
			 1996 5,654 
			 1998 6,087 
			 2000 6,797 
			 2002 (86)6,891 
		
	
	(86) Provisional figure

Tuberculosis

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffering from AIDS are also infected with tuberculosis.

Melanie Johnson: The numbers of HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with AIDS in the last five years in England, for whom pulmonary or non-pulmonary tuberculosis was the first AIDS-defining illness, are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of cases 
		
		
			 1998 117 
			 1999 93 
			 2000 142 
			 2001 168 
			 2002 (87)206 
		
	
	(87) Numbers may rise, particularly for the most recent year, as further reports are received.
	Source:
	Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency (data to end June 2003).

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times special advisers have accompanied ministers on overseas visits in the last 12 months for which figures are available; which countries were visited; and what the total cost of each individual visit was.

Rosie Winterton: Between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003 special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity on three occasions: to Washington DC, Brussels and Mexico.
	
		
			 Destination Cost (£) 
		
		
			 Washington 5,784 
			 Brussels 1,170 
			 Mexico 10,220

Waiting Times/Lists

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting more than 21 weeks at the end of March for an outpatient appointment, broken down by NHS hospital trusts.

John Hutton: Information on the number of patients at each National Health Service trust and primary care trust (as a provider) who have been waiting more than 21 weeks for a first consultant outpatient appointment following a general practitioner written referral at 31 March 2003, has been placed in the Library.

Waiting Times/Lists

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients in each health authority in England were waiting for treatment for more than 12 months in 2001–02.

John Hutton: Information on the percentage of patients who were waiting over 12 months at the end of each quarter for elective inpatient admission by English health authorities in 2001–02, has been placed in the Library.

Waiting Times/Lists

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffering from (a) motor neurone disease, (b) migraines, (c) Parkinson's disease, (d) epilepsy and (e) Alzheimer's disease waited (i) up to four weeks, (ii) four to 13 weeks (iii) 13 to 17 weeks, (iv) 17 to 21 weeks, (v) 21 to 26 weeks and (vi) more than 26 weeks from the receipt of a GP written referral request to a first out-patient attendance in each quarter since Quarter 1 of 1996–97 in each NHS trust and primary care trust.

Stephen Ladyman: Information at the level of detail requested is not available centrally. We have set targets to reduce the waiting between referral and first out-patient appointment in all cases to 16 weeks by 1 April 2004. Each year maximum waiting times will fall so that, by the end of 2005, the first out-patient appointment will be cut to three months. Urgent cases will continue to be treated much faster. People with neurological conditions will benefit from these reductions in waiting times.

Waiting Times/Lists

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what percentage of people suffering from strokes waited for less than four hours for admission to accident and emergency in each quarter for which data is available since Quarter 1 of 1996–97 in each NHS trust and primary care trust;
	(2)  what percentage of stroke victims received brain imaging within 48 hours of the onset of the stroke in each quarter for which data is available since Quarter 1 of 1996–97 in each NHS trust and primary care trust.

Stephen Ladyman: Information about stroke services at the level of detail requested is not available centrally. The most comprehensive source of information on stroke services is the National Sentinel Stroke Audit, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. The results can be found at http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/pubs/strokeaudit01–02.pdf.

Waiting Times/Lists

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest average waiting time is for in-patient treatment in (a) Greater London and (b) England.

John Hutton: The table shows the latest estimated average waiting times for elective inpatient admission for England and each London strategic health authority.
	
		Average (median) waiting times for elective inpatient admission: England and London SHAs (commissioner based):Position at 31 May 2003
		
			  Median waiting times (months) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 England 2.80 
			 North West London HA 2.69 
			 North Central London HA 2.73 
			 North East London HA 2.99 
			 South East London HA 2.92 
			 South West London HA 2.74 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QF01
	The Medians in the table are based on aggregate data, categorised into waiting time bands, and do not reflect shifts in the waiting time profiles within these bands, only between bands. Progress on delivering maximum waiting times may not necessarily translate into a reduction in the median waiting time, because of shifts in low time bands.

Waiting Times/Lists

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times are in each hospital trust; and what these were 12 months ago for (a) hip replacements, (b) cataract operations and (c) heart operations.

John Hutton: Information on waiting times for elective in-patient admission is not collected by type of operation.

Waiting Times/Lists

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times outside Accident and Emergency departments were in each health authority in each year from 1995–96 to 2001–02.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Work Force Development Confederations

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to Workforce Development Confederations on staff training on the (a) recognition and (b) response to autism spectrum disorders.

Stephen Ladyman: We have not issued specific advice on autism to national health service workforce confederations. However, the learning disability White Paper, "Valuing People", points out the need for local NHS workforce confederations to take account of workforce requirements in learning disability, which often occurs in association with autism.
	"Valuing People" also requires learning disability partnership boards to develop local workforce and training plans. Local bodies with interests in staff training should be aware of the learning disability awards framework, which contains two vocational qualifications—a level 2 certificate and a level 3 certificate in working with people with learning disabilities, both of which include a module about autism. These modules cover both recognising and responding to autistic spectrum disorders.

Working Time Directive

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure that casualty departments are adequately staffed after the implementation of the European Working Time Directive.

John Hutton: The Department has issued guidance on implementing the Working Time Directive (WTD), HSC 2003/001, "Protecting Staff, Delivering Services, Implementing the European Working Time Directive for Doctors in Training", and also on configuration of services, "Keeping the NHS local". Together, these emphasise the importance of innovative solutions to maintain local access to services while achieving compliance with the WTD. This is a local national health service responsibility, supported by the 7.4 per cent. per annum real term increase in funding over the next five years.
	To assist trusts in meeting the WTD and to support increases in consultant numbers the Department has increased significantly the number of specialist registrar (SpR) training opportunities, including 80 in accident and emergency. I announced on 17 July 2003 that postgraduate deans will be instructed to give priority to hospitals facing WTD challenges when considering the allocation of 1,500 additional locally funded SpR training opportunities available this year. This will ensure that training posts are focused on those hospitals under the greatest pressure in complying with the WTD. Further training posts will also be approved where this can help trusts with compliance.
	Successful implementation of the WTD will mean staff working differently. A programme of 19 pilot projects has been set up to develop and test innovative solutions to implementing the WTD. The "Hospital at Night" pilot project utilises a central multi disciplinary emergency team to provide cover across the hospital at night.

Working Time Directive

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with doctors' representatives regarding the implementation of the European Working Time Directive.

John Hutton: The Department regularly discusses Working Time Directive (WTD) implementation with representatives of the medical profession both formally and informally. A WTD) implementation with representatives of the medical profession both formally and informally. A WTD expert group meets regularly with members from several medical Royal Colleges, the joint consultants committee, the British Medical Association junior doctors committee and the Department of Health.

Working Time Directive

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Royal College of Physicians report on the Working Time Directive.

John Hutton: The Department is committed to working with the Royal College of Physicians and other bodies to achieve compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). To assist trusts in meeting the EWTD and to support increases in consultant numbers, the Department has increased significantly the number of specialist registrar (SpR) training opportunities.
	I announced on 17 July 2003 that postgraduate deans will be instructed to give priority to hospitals facing EWTD challenges when considering the allocation of 1,500 additional locally funded SpR training opportunities available this year. This will ensure that training posts are focused on those hospitals under the greatest pressure in complying with the EWTD. Further training posts will also be approved where this can help trusts with compliance.

TRANSPORT

Blue Badge Scheme

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will list the action he intends to take in respect of each of the recommendations from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on the future of the Blue Badge Scheme; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he expects the changes to the Blue Badge Scheme which do not require primary legislation to be in place; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what plans he has to amend the publication, The Blue Badge Scheme parking concession for disabled and blind people; if he will make the section on the duties of blue badge holders clearer; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: As my colleague the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) announced on 18 December 2002 a summary of our responses to each of DPTAC's recommendations has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	We will be taking forward the majority of the recommendations through changes to primary and secondary legislation, research and in new guidance to local authorities on the scheme. As we progress our work we will be consulting and involving major disability organisations, many of which act as umbrella organisations representing people with a range of disabilities. Copies of consultation material will additionally be made available to any individual or group who requests it.
	We are pursuing a suitable legislative slot for those changes requiring primary legislation. In the meantime we have begun work on those recommendations which require changes to secondary legislation and will also be embarking on a number of research projects over the next few months. The new guidance, which will cover all aspects of the scheme will be issued when changes have been introduced.
	The Department's publication, "The Blue Badge Scheme: Parking concessions for disabled and blind people" will be amended to reflect those changes and will be issued in tandem with the guidance.
	Timing for introduction of the changes will be subject to the outcome of the research, consultations and the parliamentary process as appropriate. I am not able at this stage to give a firm timetable, but would reassure my hon. and learned Friend that we are firmly committed to introducing the changes at the earliest possible opportunity.

Bus Services (Merseyside)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the change in (a) the number of passenger journeys and (b) passenger mileage has been on supported bus services in Merseyside from 2000–01 to 2002–03.

Tony McNulty: The Department does not collect information on the number of passenger journeys on supported services or passenger mileage on those services in Merseyside.

Bus Services (Merseyside)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average age of buses in Merseyside is; and whether there has been a change in the average age of buses in Merseyside over the last two years.

Tony McNulty: DVLA records for Public Service Vehicles registered in Merseyside showed an average age of 8.4 years in 2000. The average age was 8.7 years in 2002.

Bus Services (Merseyside)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many CCTVs are in use on supported buses in Merseyside.

Tony McNulty: The Department does not collect information on the number of CCTV cameras or recording equipment fitted to buses.

Bus Services (Merseyside)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many low floor wheelchair accessible vehicles are used on supported services in (a) Merseyside and (b) Sefton.

Tony McNulty: Merseytravel advise that all the vehicles used on their supported services are low floor and wheelchair accessible. This equates to approximately 270 vehicles across the county of Merseyside, of which approximately 60 are used on routes which, at some point, pass through the district of Sefton.

Bus Services (Merseyside)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the rate of (a) punctuality and (b) reliability of Merseyside supported bus services was in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The Department does not collect information on bus punctuality. Bus reliability is measured in a quarterly survey through a panel of large bus operators, but was not designed to show reliability in each Passenger Transport Authority area or to distinguish the reliability of supported bus services from the reliability of commercial bus services.

Bus Services (Merseyside)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to reduce environmentally harmful emissions from supported bus services in Merseyside.

Tony McNulty: The Government's measures to promote the shift to environmentally clean low-carbon vehicles and fuels include the 'TransportEnergy' programmes, which include financial support for bus and other transport operators to purchase or convert to cleaner fuels or vehicle technology.
	TransportEnergy has supported the purchase of four CNG (compressed natural gas) buses and the retrofitting of 80 buses with pollution reduction devices by the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive.

Coastal Lifeboats

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on Government funding for coastal lifeboats.

David Jamieson: In the United Kingdom, 296 coastal lifeboats are provided for front line search and rescue purposes by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) which, as a charity, receives no Government funding. In addition, there are 42 independent rescue boats which are made available for search and rescue purposes. These boats are usually part of local charitable organisations or privately funded and again receive no Government funding.

Departmental Staff

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) special advisers, (b) press officers, (c) civil servants, (d) advisers to civil servants and (e) permanent staff were working for the Department in each year since 1996.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to Table C of the annual publication "Civil Service Statistics", which covers permanent staff numbers for the Department and its agencies from 1995 to 2002. Copies of these are available in the Libraries of the House. Alternatively this information is available from the Cabinet Office website.
	There is one special adviser currently in post, a further post is vacant.
	There are 16.8 permanent press officers (full-time equivalent) currently employed in the DfT press office.
	The job title 'advisers to civil servants' described above does not correspond to any current job titles in this Department.

Network Rail

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has made and intends to make to Network Rail to ensure that disused land is sold at cost value to local authorities to enable flood remedial measures to be implemented.

Tony McNulty: None. This is a commercial matter for Network Rail.

Network Rail

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail's decision to opt for closure and diversions to allow engineering work.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail's approach will enable the work to be done more quickly and efficiently and the inevitable disruption will be contained to a much shorter period. Disruption to passengers will be minimised by the use of diversionary routes and alternative services.

GB Railways Group

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he first received reports from the Strategic Rail Authority of the bid by FirstGroup plc for GB Railways Group plc; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Department first received a report from the Strategic Rail Authority on this matter on 8 July 2003.

Rail Freight

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to encourage businesses to use rail services as a means of transporting goods; and what assessment his Department has made of methods businesses use to transport products.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority set out its objectives for freight in its revised Strategic Plan, published in January. Copies of this document are available in the Libraries of the House.

Mersey Tunnels

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received copies of accounts of income and expenditure for the Mersey Tunnels in accordance with section 100 of the County of Merseyside Act 1980.

David Jamieson: The Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority (Merseytravel) submitted Outturn forms recording Mersey Tunnels income and expenditure to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in August 2003.

Mersey Tunnels

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last received a set of accounts of income and expenditure for the Mersey Tunnels prior to 1 January.

David Jamieson: The Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority (Merseytravel) submitted Outturn forms recording Mersey Tunnels income and expenditure to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in August 2002.

National Air Consultation

Alan Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings he has had with (a) British Airways, (b) British Airport Authority, (c) other industry bodies, (d) local authorities and (e) environmental groups on the National Air Consultation; what the agenda of each meeting was; and if he will meet representatives of the London Borough of Hounslow to discuss their concerns.

Tony McNulty: Ministers and officials attend many meetings with a wide range of organisations including those representing industry, local authorities, and environmental concerns. It is not possible to provide a definitive list of those meetings which have included discussions about "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom" consultation.

National Walking Strategy

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish a National Walking Strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Department issued a discussion document on walking on 30 June. "On the move: by foot" seeks views from all interests on how we might improve conditions for pedestrians and increase levels of walking. Responses to the document have been requested by 26 September and will help to inform a strategic action plan of measures and initiatives to encourage more journeys on foot and identify any related guidance required.

Operation Bream

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many arrests were made in Merseyside owing to the joint initiative Operation Bream.

Tony McNulty: Operation Bream was a high visibility intensive policing operation along a single bus corridor and resulted in 72 arrests.

Rail Transport

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect of reduced use of rail transport by business on road and air services; and what assessment has been made on what pollution problems could result.

Tony McNulty: Our policies aim to provide safe, reliable and secure transport that supports sustainable economic growth. The use of rail is then a commercial matter for the businesses concerned. Any assessment of pollution problems resulting from any modal shift from rail to road or air would be difficult to undertake, because it would depend on the locations concerned and the time of travel.

Rail Services

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the on-time performance of rail companies.

Tony McNulty: Our top priority is to see significant improvement in rail punctuality and reliability. The rail industry, under the leadership of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), is working increasingly closely together to deliver this. The SRA has issued a template performance action plan to all train operators. The plan requires train operators to identify the main causes of delay, and to produce action plans to address them.

Rail Services

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much ridership has changed on average over the last two years for rail travel in Merseyside;
	(2)  what percentage of trains in Merseyside ran no more than five minutes late in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The number of passenger kilometres travelled on Arriva Trains Merseyside services rose from 255 million in 2001–02 to 275 million in 2002–03 and the number of passenger journeys rose from 23.8 million to 24.9 million in the same period.
	For the year to 31 March 2003, 91.5 per cent. of Arriva Trains Merseyside services arrived within five minutes of their scheduled arrival time.
	The Strategic Rail Authority publishes statistics for each train operating company in its Annual Report, and in the quarterly National Rail Trends and six-monthly "On Track" publications, each of which is available through the Libraries of the House.

Rail Services

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding Silverlink's advice to rail passengers to go on holiday during a period of maintenance.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no representations regarding Silverlink's advice to rail passengers to go on holiday during a period of maintenance.

Reading Station

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Strategic Rail Authority to provide him with the business case for a major scheme at Reading station; and when he expects to publish the business case.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority, in conjunction with Reading Borough Council, is developing a business case for major capacity enhancements at Reading. The project would require a Transport and Works Act Order, an application for which would be made around 2005. The business case will form part of that application.

School Buses

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the results of the yellow school bus pilot schemes will be published; and if he will make a statement on proposals to encourage wider take up of such schemes.

Tony McNulty: We expect to receive the final report of the independent evaluation of the yellow school bus pilot schemes by the end of September. We will give careful consideration to the findings of the study before deciding on next steps.

Speed Cameras (Romford)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the number of speed cameras in Romford.

David Jamieson: In the London borough of Havering, of which Romford is a part, there are currently 13 fixed camera site housings available for speed camera enforcement and one site enforced periodically by a mobile camera unit.

Speeding

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he will take to reclaim from local partnerships money paid in fines as a result of convictions for speeding based on evidence from speed cameras which are not (a) properly identified and (b) positioned in accordance with Government guidelines; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The rules and guidelines relating to the safety camera netting-off programme have no bearing on the prosecution process. Where camera partnerships fail to meet visibility and conspicuity rules they may be suspended from the scheme and payments withheld.

Local Transport Plans

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to show how they intend to improve urban design and regeneration in their next local transport plans.

Tony McNulty: The Government recogniseb the importance of Local Transport Plans as a tool that local authorities may use to regenerate and improve the urban environment, in and around local transport infrastructure. We are currently considering how this might be reflected in our guidance for local authorities on their next Local Transport Plans.
	ana

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Foodstuffs Trade

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the balance of payments in the UK in foodstuffs; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The following table shows the level of exports, imports and trade gap for the United Kingdom in food, feed and drink, for each of the last five years (1998–2002).
	
		£ billion
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Total Exports 9.2 8.9 8.7 8.5 8.9 
			 Total Imports 17.1 17.2 16.8 18.3 19.1 
			 Trade Gap(88) -7.9 -8.3 -8.1 -9.8 -10.2 
		
	
	(88) In the calculation of the trade gap the values of exports and imports are measured slightly differently. For exports, values include the costs allowed under "free on board" which refers to the total export values of goods leaving the country. For imports, values include the costs allowed under "cost insurance freight" which refers to the total value of the goods imported into the UK. Thus for imports into the UK the cost of transportation between the port or place of dispatch and the UK port or place of importation is included. As a result imports are overstated relative to exports by about 5 per cent. The figures are not seasonally adjusted.
	Source:
	HM Customs and Excise Data prepared by Statistics (Commodities & Food) Accounts and Trade, ESD, DEFRA
	Crown Copyright

Corporate Environmental Reports

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many FTSE 350 companies have responded to the Prime Minister's October 2000 challenge to produce corporate environmental reports.

Elliot Morley: This Department conducted a survey last year of the progress made by companies in the FTSE 350 in voluntary reporting of their environmental performance. An account of the results of this survey was placed in the Library of the House in July 2002.

Egg Industry

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will be raising the UK egg industry at the Fifth World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Cancun.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will aim to secure a positive outcome for all UK interests at the Fifth WTO Ministerial. She is aware of the concerns of the British egg industry about market access and will take due account of those concerns in her discussion in Cancun.

Environmental Legislation

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to raise awareness among small businesses of environmental regulations and legislation.

Elliot Morley: The central thrust of the Department's efforts to raise awareness of environmental regulations and legislation is the NetRegs project. NetRegs aims to provide clear and coherent guidelines for businesses (principally small/medium-sized businesses) on environmental legislation, and how to comply with it. Sector-specific guidelines for 100 industry sectors will be available on its website (www.netregs.gov.uk) by the time the project finishes at the end of March 2004; currently there are guidelines for over 55 business sectors already published on the site. NetRegs is a partnership between the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland, and the DTI. It is funded by the Treasury's Capital Modernisation Fund.
	To publicise NetRegs to its target audience, the NetRegs team has successfully engaged the support of the relevant trade media, associations, and business support organisations in 'spreading the word' on a sector-by-sector basis, as each sector's guidelines are launched on the website. So far NetRegs has generated over 700 pieces of media coverage since October 2002 and over 180 organisations have to date actively supported and or promoted the site.
	Defra also undertakes initiatives in relation to specific areas of new legislation. For example, between September 2002 and February 2003 Defra, DTI and the Small Business Service ran over 30 seminars across the UK to raise awareness of the European Directives on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which must be transposed into UK legislation by the summer of next year.

Radioactive Waste

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  which countries have sent radioactive material to the United Kingdom for disposal since 2001; and what charges were levied;
	(2)  how many shipments of radioactive waste have been sent abroad to be disposed of since 2001; and what the destination countries were.

Elliot Morley: Imports and exports of radioactive waste into, out of, or through the European Union are controlled under European Commission Directive 92/3 Euratom. This Directive is implemented into UK law by the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993. Authorisations under the regulations are administered in England and Wales by the Environment Agency, in Scotland by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and in Northern Ireland by the Environment and Heritage Service.
	Under the regulations three shipments of radioactive waste into the UK have been authorised since 2001. Small quantities of mixed solid and liquid laboratory wastes were received from the British Antarctic Survey in 2001 and 2002, and contaminated oilfield equipment was received from Norway in 2002. No charges have been levied by the regulatory bodies for issuing an authorisation. Any other costs involved are a commercial matter for the consigners and/or consignees, as relevant.
	No shipments of radioactive waste for disposal have been sent abroad from the UK since 2001.

Antibiotics

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy towards the use of antibiotics in animal feed.

Ben Bradshaw: Antibiotics cannot be used in animal feed unless they are authorised either as veterinary medicinal products or as zootechnical feed additives (which are used as growth promoters).
	The Government recognises the important role that authorised antibiotics play in maintaining animal health and welfare. However it takes very seriously the possibility of their contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria affecting humans. The Government has therefore developed a comprehensive strategy for maintaining the effectiveness of antimicrobial products and reducing the overall pool of antibiotic use in animals. A key element in this strategy is promoting the prudent use of authorised antibiotic medicines and feed additives in animal husbandry.
	The Government is satisfied that the four feed additives authorised as antibiotic growth promoters are not related to any therapeutic antibiotics currently used in human or animal medicine. However it supports the phasing out of these products on a precautionary basis from 1 January 2006 under new EU legislation on Feed Additives coming into effect next year. The Government believes that this provides sufficient time for the industry to introduce new husbandry methods before the authorisations for antibiotic growth promoters are withdrawn. Defra is working closely with the industry's Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) alliance in drawing up plans to assist industry to adjust to the loss of these products from January 2006.

Avian Influenza

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the current outbreak of avian influenza in the European Union.

Ben Bradshaw: European Community legislation lays down procedures for controlling avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in EU member states. The measures taken by the Dutch, Belgian and German authorities and endorsed by the European Commission follow the rules laid down in this legislation.
	Following the confirmation of AI in the Netherlands and Belgium in March and April 2003 respectively, the Dutch and Belgian authorities imposed a standstill on the transport of live poultry and hatching eggs within those countries. The Dutch and Belgian authorities also stopped their exports of live poultry, hatching eggs and fresh unprocessed and non-heat treated poultry manure and litter. In May 2003, AI was also confirmed in the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany and the German authorities took similar action. In each instance the European Commission put in place Community legislation to reinforce the action taken by the countries concerned.
	In each case following the confirmation of AI, Defra issued Declarations under domestic animal health legislation to ban imports of live poultry, hatching eggs, racing/show pigeons, fresh unprocessed and non-heat-treated poultry manure or litter and dead day-old chicks from the Netherlands, Belgium and the affected part of Germany. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also introduced similar Declarations. EU legislation does not permit trade in fresh poultry meat if it was obtained from poultry originating in established surveillance zones in those countries. In light of Germany and Belgium's confirmation on 26 June and 16 July 2003 respectively, that there had been no further outbreaks and that the disease had been successfully eradicated, restrictions were lifted from Belgium and the affected part of Germany. Defra revoked the declarations and have informed the trade that they can import live poultry, hatching eggs, racing/show pigeons and fresh unprocessed and non-heat treated poultry manure and litter from the whole of Germany and Belgium.
	On 22 July 2003, Defra issued a Declaration lifting all import restrictions on live poultry, their hatching eggs and racing/show pigeons from the Netherlands except from the area between the provinces of Utrecht and Gelderland and the area North of Limburg in the Netherlands.
	The European Commission is keeping all member states informed of the AI situation in the Netherlands. The Government are satisfied that the German, Dutch and Belgian authorities have done all that was needed to control the disease. Defra will continue to monitor the situation in the Netherlands.
	Officials have reviewed and updated the AI contingency arrangements. In the event of an outbreak of avian influenza in the UK, the structures, frameworks and systems that are set out in Defra's Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan will be put in place as appropriate. In support of these plans are operational instructions detailing the actions to be taken to deliver the plan. As part of the review of our state of readiness, we have taken powers which would allow a pre-emptive or firebreak cull should that be necessary (The Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (England and Wales) Order 2003).
	Defra has also kept the industry informed and up to date information on the AI situation may be obtained from the Defra website. Defra also reminded egg and poultry producers in the UK about the need for stringent biosecurity measures at all times. Officials asked poultry producers in the UK to be vigilant for any signs of respiratory disease in birds and contact their local veterinary office immediately if they have any concerns.

Bovine TB

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered because of bovine TB in each year since 1997 in (a) the Taunton Constituency, (b) Somerset, (c) North Devon Constituency and (d) Devon.

Ben Bradshaw: The data requested is not available for the Parliamentary constituencies of Taunton or North Devon. However, the number of cattle slaughtered under bovine TB measures in Somerset and Devon, from 1997 to 2002, is given in the table below. As a result of county boundary changes in the past, the number of cattle slaughtered because of bovine TB in part of the county of Somerset is shown in TB statistics as being in "Avon". Therefore, the data for "Avon" is also included.
	
		Number of cattle slaughtered under bovine TB control measures 1997–2002(89)
		
			 Year Somerset Avon Devon 
		
		
			 1997 191 75 493 
			 1998 264 276 550 
			 1999 339 145 870 
			 2000 644 275 1,291 
			 2001 125 125 621 
			 2002 881 769 3,009 
		
	
	(89) In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also the proportion of high risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, the number of TB reactors identified and slaughtered in 2002 is not comparable to those identified and slaughtered in previous years.

British Products

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to other departments in support of the use of British farm products by their departments.

Alun Michael: The EC Treaty and EC procurement directives do not permit discrimination on the basis of nationality. Defra is however working with others in the public sector to integrate sustainable development considerations into their procurement of food and catering services. One of these considerations is that their specifications should not discriminate against or prevent local businesses from competing in the supply market.

British Products

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the Ministry of Defence on the use of British products in the supply chain.

Alun Michael: The EC Treaty, and EC procurement directives do not permit discrimination on the basis of nationality. Defra is however working with the Ministry of Defence and other departments to take forward the public sector food procurement initiative. This is designed to help the public sector "to promote public procurement of food that supports delivery of the Government's Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy for England". The objective is intended to encourage public sector to procure food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and does not discriminate against local and UK suppliers. Information can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/sustain/procurement/index.htm

BSE

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what form the tests to ensure there is no BSE in over-thirty-month beef will take; how long an individual test will take; and where and when these tests will take place.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government are currently considering the FSA recommendation that the over-thirty-month rule could be amended. If the rule is amended, over-thirty-month cattle would be tested for BSE using the Bio-Rad test, which is one of the five rapid diagnostic tests approved by the European Union. The test is carried out using brain stem tissue taken from the cattle following slaughter. It takes about six hours and will be carried out at LGC laboratories at Teddington, Runcorn and Edinburgh. These laboratories will run an overnight testing service.

BSE

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what facilities will be required at slaughterhouses for the BSE tests on over-thirty-month beef; and whether separate units will be required at slaughterhouses to enable animals to be tested.

Ben Bradshaw: If the over-thirty-month rule is amended, slaughterhouses would require a dedicated area for sampling including access to washing facilities. They would also need to ensure that they have sufficient space to store carcases and edible offals until test results are known. Although there are no current plans to require slaughterhouses to operate separate units for processing over-thirty-month cattle for human consumption, some might choose to do so for operational reasons.

BSE

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost is of the new testing arrangements when the Over-Thirty-Month Scheme is lifted; and whether there will be a single national slaughterhouse for the scheme.

Ben Bradshaw: If the over-thirty-month rule is amended, the costs of testing for BSE over-thirty-month cattle for sale for human consumption would be shared by Government and industry. The Government will pay for the rapid test kit and the testing process. The precise cost is commercially sensitive but it is within the EU's state aid limit of 40 euros. Abattoirs will pay for the sampling, packaging and transportation of samples to laboratories and other in-abattoir costs. A significant number of abattoirs have indicated that they may be interested in slaughtering cattle aged over-thirty-months if the rule is amended.

BSE

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Over-30-Month Scheme; what changes she plans to make to the scheme, and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether the Government will phase in the changes to the Over-30-Month Scheme; and when the changes will take effect.

Ben Bradshaw: The Over-30-Month Scheme (OTMS) provides an outlet for cattle which are excluded from the food chain by the Over-30-Month (OTM) Rule. The Food Standards Agency has carried out a review of the OTM Rule, and has advised the Government that it would be acceptable on public health grounds to replace the OTM Rule by BSE testing of cattle older than 30 months in two stages. Cattle born after August 1996 could be allowed into the food supply, after being tested for BSE, at the earliest from January 2004, with the possibility of complete replacement of the Rule by testing from July 2005. The Government are considering this advice. Any change to the OTM Rule is likely to lead to parallel changes to the OTMS.

Cages (Hens)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage a switch towards more advanced well-managed cages for egg-laying hens.

Ben Bradshaw: The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, lay down specific requirements in terms of space and design which cages for laying hens must meet. From 2012, cage systems must be enriched to meet additional requirements. Both the industry and Defra have research programmes which aim to evaluate the emergence and development of new systems of production.

Combined Heat and Power

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that electricity derived from CHP is financially more attractive to use than electricity from other carbon-based technologies.

Ben Bradshaw: The measures to support CHP announced in the Energy White Paper, taken together with the measures we have previously introduced, and detailed in the draft CHP Strategy, will significantly help CHP. These include:
	Exemption from the climate change levy for fuel inputs and electricty outputs from Good Quality CHP;
	The £50 million Community Energy programme promoting community heating;
	The introduction of a target for Government Departments to use CHP generated electricity by the end of the year.

Contagious Animal Diseases

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those outbreaks of contagious animal diseases which have occurred since May 1997, for which the European Commission has issued Decisions or communications to limit their spread; what numbers of livestock were killed to limit spread; what support funds were released in compensation; what amount was taken up by government; and what proportion of the value of lost stock this equated to.

Ben Bradshaw: Since May 1997 there have been two outbreaks of contagious notifiable disease which have occurred in the UK—classical swine fever in 2000 and foot and mouth disease in 2001. Control of these was governed by both domestic and EU legislation. On both occasions the European Commission also issued Decisions.
	A proportion of the costs of eradicating these diseases can be reimbursed by the European Commission to the member state, and the UK Government have submitted official applications for such reimbursement. Relevant details are as follows:
	
		
			  Classical swine fever 2000 Foot and mouth disease 2001 
		
		
			 Number of confirmed cases 16 2030 
			 Livestock killed for disease control 74,793 4,230,786 
			 Compensation paid for livestock (£) 4,453,399 1,033,000,000 
			 Total compensation for which EU reimbursement claimed (includes other costs) (£) 7,632,925 1,581,000,000 
			 Maximum rate of EU re-imbursement (percentage) 50 60 
			 Maximum amount of re-imbursement (£) 3,816,463 948,600,000 
			 Amount received to date(90) (£) 1,809,460 217,000,000 
		
	
	(90) Further amounts will only be paid following completion of Commission audits of expenditure incurred during the disease outbreaks.

Convention on Europe (Animal Welfare)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department was consulted on the Swedish Government's recent approach to the British Government in the European Convention with respect to the issue of animal welfare; at what level such consultation took place; when; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: There is no record of any such approach to this Department by the Swedish Government.

Correspondence

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reasons underlay the delay in responding to the letter received by the Department on 16 December 2002 from Mr. Ian Marsden and P. Westby of Accrington regarding biodiesel.

Alun Michael: I have looked at the way in which the case was dealt with and it appears that this was an unusual case in which the details of a draft response were considered by officials and Ministers on a number of occasions before a reply was sent to the hon. Gentleman on 27 June. The delay is unacceptable and falls far short of the standards now achieved within Defra. Having massively improved the turnaround of replies to MPs we are now trying to eradicate occasional lapses of this sort which are unacceptable.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the letter from her Department dated 18 June to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms M. Bromley, if she will require the Food Standards Agency to send the promised reply to the right hon. Member without delay.

Alun Michael: I regret that my right hon. Friend's letter was not shown to me before it was transferred to the Food Standards Agency. However that transfer was correct as the Food Standard Agency is responsible for the Food Supplements Directive. I cannot speak for other Departments and my right hon. Friend may therefore wish to direct his inquiries to colleagues in the Department of Health.

Countryside Agency

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the Countryside Agency's handling of its budgetary affairs in 2003–04; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will take steps to ensure that the finances of the Countryside Agency are managed in such a way that will ensure funding arrangements for partnerships can be made clear at an early stage for 2004–05 and left unchanged.

Alun Michael: I have discussed with the Countryside Agency the way in which it manages its finances in view of the "hold" placed on some budgets, including Vital Villages, at the start of this financial year. This was done by the Agency because of the very high level of applications received and the consequent need to target money at the areas of greatest need, but it is unfortunate that this caused uncertainty to a number of organisations who were dependent on the Countryside Agency grant for continuity of their work. I am drawing to the attention of the Agency and other organisations funded by Defra the requirements on finance contained in the Government's compact with the Voluntary Sector. It should be noted that the Agency's grant in aid has been significantly increased this year.
	It is for the Countryside Agency to manage its finances within the budgets set for it and has been doing so against the background both of the major and novel task of access mapping, whose costs depend on public responses which are hard to predict, and of the demand-led nature of its major grant programmes. Despite these factors the budget for Vital Villages has been held to the level set at the start of the year. Budgets have also been agreed for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Countryside Agency

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet Hampshire county council to discuss the effect on its rural transport partnership of late changes in funding by the Countryside Agency.

Alun Michael: The Countryside Agency manages the Rural Transport Partnership scheme on behalf of Defra and day to day decisions on the operation of the scheme are a matter for the Agency. However, the Agency has assured me that rather than cuts to the Rural Transport Partnership scheme, the budget for 2003–04 has been increased by £2 million since the original budget announcement. Demand for the scheme has been high and the funds available have had to be shared among as many projects as possible. In the South East region it is the Rural Transport Partnership officers themselves who have decided which projects should take priority.

Departmental Discussions

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with (a) the United States, (b) the European Union and (c) environmental organisations on international measures to assist developing nations in reducing climate change.

Elliot Morley: As climate change is a global problem, it is important that all countries engage constructively in international action to tackle it. With this in mind, Defra, along with other Government Departments, has regular discussions in both formal and informal fora with the United States, other European Union member states and environmental organisations on measures to assist developing countries to address climate change. These discussions include: the need to integrate climate change into national strategies for sustainable development; the importance of capacity building; the role of technology transfer and, the operationalisation of the Clean Development Mechanism.

Departmental Discussions

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with (a) the United States, (b) the European Union and (c) environmental organisations on the obligations of (i) the UK and (ii) others to reverse (A) climate change and (B) energy shortage.

Elliot Morley: As climate change is a global problem, it is important that all countries engage constructively in international action to tackle it. With this in mind, Defra, along with other government departments, has regular discussions in both formal and informal fora with the United States, other European Union Member States and environmental organisations on action to address climate change. Although these discussions are often linked to energy policy, the security of energy supply is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Departmental Discussions

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on investment in renewable energy.

Ben Bradshaw: Achieving the commitments set out in the energy white paper will require close integration across departments and much more widely. To make this a reality the white paper announced the creation of a Sustainable Energy Policy Network of policy units from across Government departments, the devolved administrations, regulators and key delivery organisations that are jointly responsible for delivery. Working within this framework my Department has regular discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry on a wide range of energy policy issues, including the development of renewable energy.

Public Sector Procurement (UK Food)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on public sector procurement of United Kingdom sourced food products.

Alun Michael: Defra's policy on the UK's public sector procurement of food is given in the guidance we have published on integrating sustainable development issues into public procurement of food and catering. It explains that buyers should ensure that specifications do not discriminate against or prevent local businesses from competing in the supply market, while pointing out that the EC Treaty and EC procurement directives do not permit discrimination on the basis of nationality. The guidance is aimed at the public sector as a whole and should help to increase the opportunities for local and UK producers to compete for public sector contracts. Information can be found at: http://www. defra.gov.uk/farm/sustain/procurement/index.htm.

Locally Grown Produce

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures have been taken to promote and encourage the consumption of locally grown produce in the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government recognises the benefits of local food and is keen to encourage a flourishing local food sector. Over the last 12 months, we have made provision under the England Rural Development Programme for grants for activities such as the establishment of farmers' markets and other direct sales outlets, the development of local branding initiatives and the formation of collaborative groups to market produce. Defra has also helped to finance workshops organised by the IGD designed to bring together supermarkets and small local producers to explore how barriers to local sourcing can be overcome. One practical area where the Government can have a direct effect on the local food sector is public procurement. Defra has published guidance on its website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/ sustain/procurement/index.htm) that, among other things, should help to increase the opportunities for local and UK producers to compete for public sector contracts. We have asked Government Departments to produce their own action plans on public procurement. We are also encouraging local authorities to do the same.
	We have recently drawn up a local food policy paper examining the rationale for public support and setting out a framework within which support will be given. The paper is published on the following website address: http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/specialfoods/localfood/index.htm.The framework focuses on added value at national level, the public procurement initiative and spreading best local food practice nationwide. We will also continue to deploy our various funding schemes to encourage a flourishing local food sector. This activity will complement measures at a regional level which the Regional Development Agencies will be implementing as part of their wider food and drink strategies.

Locally Grown Produce

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has taken to promote local trade fairs and farmers' markets in the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: Local trade fairs and farmers' markets are an excellent way to raise awareness about local and regional food. In the last 12 months, we have made provision under the England Rural Development Programme for grants for projects promoting farmers' markets and other direct sales outlets. For example, within this period we have awarded 100,256 to the National Association of Farmers' Markets to raise the profile of farmers' markets across England and increase public awareness of them. In addition, in November last year Lord Whitty wrote to all Local Authorities outlining the benefits farmers' markets bring and the role they play in bringing urban and rural communities together. Finally, Defra provides funding to Food from Britain, which has responsibility for promoting the production and consumption of quality regional food and drink. One of the measures for doing this is by providing business support, through the network of Regional Food Groups, to those producers wishing to exhibit at trade fairs both at a local and national level.

Foreign Policy

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the application of the ethical dimension of foreign policy in her Department's activities overseas.

Ben Bradshaw: The common theme of the Department's overseas activity is sustainable development—meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations.
	Defra's overseas activities support the Government's wider international objectives, by contributing to preventive measures designed to address potential causes of future conflict; by supporting multilateral co-operation to address international problems; and by contributing to the spread of good governance.
	Defra's key international activities support sustainable development by:
	tackling the causes and effects of environmental degradation, for example, by addressing climate change;
	promoting sustainable use of natural resources, including water, soil, forestry, fisheries, and biodiversity; and
	promoting fairer world trade in agriculture, notably through CAP reform and the WTO's Doha Development Agenda.
	These overseas activities, on which Defra works closely with other Departments, particularly the FCO, DfID, and DTI, help address problems facing the world's poorest countries.

EU Legislation

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's application of (a) subsidiarity and (b) proportionality in applying EU legislation.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department considers whether the implications and effects of subsidiarity are relevant in respect of each proposal that falls under the remit of the UK parliamentary scrutiny procedures. The Department provides Parliament with a concise assessment of whether the Government believe the proposal in question is justified in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the EC Treaty.
	The Department's policy is to consider proportionality as an integral part of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). All proposed legislation is examined to ensure that the approach—both in negotiation and final implementation, is appropriate to the risk posed, and that costs are identified and minimised wherever possible.

Departmental Spending

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on encouraging (a) co-operation and (b) stronger marketing for British farmers and food produce in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has over the last 10 years pursued various initiatives designed to encourage and support co-operation between farmers and the better marketing of food produced by them, or which have contributed to these objectives. These include the work that the Department has undertaken to promote agricultural exports, its support for Food from Britain and regional food groups, its promotion and administration of protected food names schemes, the support that it is giving to English Farming and Food Partnerships (which has been set up by industry to promote collaboration and co-operation) and grants made available under various grant schemes such as the Agriculture Development Scheme, the schemes operating under England Rural Development programme, and those under the EU Structural Funds. Identifying all of these initiatives, and isolating or estimating the expenditure that relates directly to encouraging co-operation and marketing, could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Spending

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how much has been spent by her Department on progressive and appropriate science and technology in the area of food security, by type, in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how much has been spent in support of science and technology for agriculture in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: Details of Defra funding of science and technology (S&T) activities are regularly published through the Government's Forward Look, the 2003 version of which has just been published (http://www.ost.gov.uk/atoz.html)
	Although the Department is involved in much work relating to food security, none of this is classed as S&T and figures are not therefore available under this category.
	Expenditure on S&T in support of agriculture for the last 10 years, taken from the Forward Look, is:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1993–94 92.80 
			 1994–95 93.10 
			 1995–96 93.70 
			 1996–97 92.00 
			 1997–98 91.60 
			 1998–99 91.70 
			 1999–2000 89.30 
			 2000–01 90.20 
			 2001–02 92.60 
			 2002–03 92.40

Departmental Spending

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on the protection against the importation of (a) dangerous and (b) unacceptably produced food in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: All products of animal origin imported from third countries into the UK must enter at designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIP) where they are subject to veterinary inspections. The inspection services at the BIP are the responsibility of the local authority. UK and EC legislation requires that costs incurred by the local authority while carrying out checks are recovered from the importer. Details of costs are not held centrally.
	As part of their normal duties, local and port health authorities were responsible for checks on passenger baggage and cargo at ports and airports until 11 April 2003, to prevent the illegal importation of products of animal origin. Between October 2002 and April 2003, Defra funded additional enforcement activity at the border. From 11 April 2003, HM Customs and Excise became responsible for anti-smuggling action in relation to these products. A total of £6 million additional resources is being provided this year on work to tackle illegal imports.

Departmental Spending

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on the development of crops which offer sustainable alternatives for (a) fuel, (b) medical and (c) plastic products in the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: This Department has research programmes supporting the sustainable development of arable and horticultural crops relevant to both food and non-food uses. The total research expenditure on these crops is about £16 million per year. This includes about £0.5 million on biomass energy crops, £1 million on oilseed rape and £2 million on wheat.
	The research programme specific to the non-food uses of crops is market-led and aims to respond positively to all proposals for high quality pre-competitive research to support the development of non-food products. The research spending over the last 10 years specifically supporting the development and use of crops for fuel, medical and plastic products is as follows:
	
		£
		
			  Fuel Medical Plastic products 
		
		
			 1993–94 0 0 30,000 
			 1994–95 323,000 0 140,000 
			 1995–96 293,000 0 141,000 
			 1996–97 316,000 0 247,000 
			 1997–98 328,000 7,000 246,000 
			 1998–99 378,000 0 160,000 
			 1999–2000 560,000 0 59,000 
			 2000–01 780,000 127,000 74,000 
			 2001–02 591,000 219,000 146,000 
			 2002–03 654,000 240,000 83,000

Departmental Spending

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to maintain the United Kingdom market share of indigenous fruit and vegetables; and how much has been spent on these measures in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no specific measures in place to maintain the UK market share of indigenous fruit and vegetables. However, Defra funds strategic research and development, worth some £11 million pa, which helps our fruit and vegetables producers to increase their competitiveness. Growers can also take advantage of assistance available under the England Rural Development Programme and other grant schemes.

Energy Crops

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government strategy to increase the amount of energy crops grown in United Kingdom.

Ben Bradshaw: This Department is committed to supporting the growing of energy crops in England. We have allocated £29 million under the Energy Crops Scheme to support the planting of short rotation coppice (SRC) and miscanthus, and the setting up of producer groups to supply SRC to energy end-users. £3.5.million has been allocated to develop supply chains for energy crops and woodfuel, from harvest to energy end-users. Energy crops can be planted on set-aside land and receive payments under the Arable Area Payments Scheme.
	£66 million is available to develop markets for biomass, including energy crops, in heat, combined heat and power, and power generation. Officials are working closely with project developers and others, including the Local Support Teams set up under the Countryside Agency's Community Renewables Initiative, to promote the potential of energy crops. Recently, over 200 farmers attended one such event near Swindon. The co-firing of energy crops with fossil fuels is permitted under the Renewables Obligation. To encourage the market for transport biofuels, which can be produced from energy crops, the Government introduced a cut in the duty rate for biodiesel in July 2002 and has announced the intention to cut the duty rate for bioethanol in January 2005.

Alternative Fuels

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental attributes of (a) LPG, (b) biodiesel and (c) bioethanol.

Ben Bradshaw: An assessment of the environmental performance of various alternative fuels, including LPG, was carried out by the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force in 2000. The research showed that LPG can have air quality benefits over conventional fuels in terms of reduced emissions of particulates and oxides of nitrogen, and reduced noise, although progress with conventional engine and fuel technologies is reducing this advantage. A copy of the report "The environmental impacts of road vehicles in use" is available on the Department for Transport's website, at: www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft roads/documents/page/dft roads 506888.hcsp
	The Government recently published a consultation document seeking views on the future structure of the Government's support for the road fuel gases LPG and natural gas in the short to medium term, to ensure that future support continues to reflect environmental and other policy objectives. A copy of the consultation, which closes on 17 September, is available at: www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft roads/documents/page/dft roads 508355.pdf
	An assessment of biodiesel was commissioned by Defra from Sheffield Hallam University in 2001. The report found that emissions of carbon dioxide are significantly reduced for biodiesel compared to conventional diesel. Consistent air quality benefits from biodiesel in terms of emissions of particulates and oxides of nitrogen have not been established. A copy of the report "Evaluation of the comparative energy, global warming and socio-economic costs and benefits of biodiesel" is available on the Defra website at: www. defra.gov.uk/science/project data/DocumentLibrary/NF0422/nf0422.pdf
	A number of reports show that life cycle emissions of carbon dioxide are significantly lower for a range of vehicle types run on bioethanol compared to petrol or diesel. Research includes "Energy and Greenhouse gas balance of biofuels for Europe—An update", CONCAWE, April 2002 and "Well-to-wheel analysis of energy use and the greenhouse gas emissions of advanced fuel/vehicle systems—A European Study", L-B-Systemtechnik Consultancy, September 2002. Research has also been carried out on local air quality benefits. An assessment of the emissions performance of bioethanol undertaken by AEA Technology plc (Ethanol Emissions Testing, March 2002) was published by the Department for Transport. The report found that tailpipe emissions of particulates are significantly reduced for bioethanol compared to petrol but as petrol engines are very low emitters of particulates, the large reduction in emissions from bioethanol results in only a marginal improvement in air quality. Emissions of oxides of nitrogen are not significantly changed compared to petrol.

EU Committees

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) activities and (b) mandate of the (i) EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, (ii) Community Committee for the Farm Accountancy Data Network, (iii) Management Committee for Live Plants, (iv) Standing Committee on Agricultural Plants, (v) Management Committee on Poultrymeat and Eggs, (vi) Standing Committee on Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Seeds and Plants, (vii) Standing Committee on Propagating Material and Plants of Fruit Genera and Species, (viii) Management Committee on Tobacco, (ix) Management Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture, (x) Committee on the Conservation, Characterisation, Collection and Utilisation of Genetic Resources in Agriculture, (xi) Management Committee for Beef and Veal, (xii) Standing Committee for Propagating Materials of Ornamental Plants and (xiii) Management Committee on Wine.

Ben Bradshaw: The activities and mandates of the above listed Committees are wide-ranging and varied. A synopsis of the Committees' activities and mandates are outlined as follows:
	Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health
	The activities of the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) include animal health and welfare, controls and import conditions, biological safety of the food chain, general food law, toxicological safety of the food chain, animal nutrition and phytopharmaceuticals. SCoFCAH is a regulatory Committee which meets under Comitology rules. It has the power to discuss and agree proposals for Commission legislation designed to maintain the Safety of the EU food Chain. It can agree Commission rules relating to EU production and to third country imports.
	Community Committee for the Farm Accountancy Data Network
	The Committee meets three times a year to consider all aspects of the Farm AccountancyData Network, from developing the network itself (including reviewing legislation) to commissioning and presenting economic research into the impact of policy proposals on farm businesses. The Committee was established by Council Regulation 79/65/EEC to set up a harmonised farm accountancy system across the EU to support farm business analyses and determination of farm incomes to meet the needs of the Common Agricultural Policy. Managment Committee for Live Plants
	The mandate of the Management Committee for live plants and floriculture products is to assist the Commission in the management of the common organisation of the market in live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage, as established by Article 1 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 234/68. The Commission has not convened a meeting of the Committee since it last met in July 2001. Items discussed then included market statistics and EU enlargement.
	Standing Committee on Agricultural Plants
	There is no such Committee.
	Management Committee on Poultrymeat and Eggs
	The Management Committee for Eggs and Poultry meets once a month to examine the market situation and the regulations that implement the CAP regimes for these commodities. The Committee has the authority to fix export refund rates and import representative prices for poultrymeat, eggs and egg products, and to make changes to Commission Regulations on certain marketing standards for eggs and poultrymeat and production and marketing of eggs for hatching.
	Standing Committee on Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Seeds and Plants
	The Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry meets to consider a wide range of administrative, technical and regulatory arrangements for the implementation of the provisions of the Council Directives on the marketing of seeds and propagating material. The Committee's mandate is to carry out the duties devolved to it by these Council Directives. Reports of the Committee's activities can be found on the Commission's website at:
	http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scsp/index en.html.
	Standing Committee on Propagating Material and Plants of Fruit Genera and Species
	The mandate of the Standing Committee on Propagating Material and Plants of Fruit Genera and Species is contained within Council Directive 92/34 on the marketing of fruit plant propagating material and fruit plants intended for fruit production. The Committee gives opinions on amendments and implementing measures associated with the Directive, and on the arrangements for carrying out and reviewing Community comparative trials on fruit planting and propagating material. Recent activities of the Committee include a review of the genera and species covered by the Directive, an evaluation of CAC (Conformitas Agraria Communitatis) and certification requirements and comparative trial matters. Agendas and meeting reports for this Committee are available on the European Commission's website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scpfgs/index en.html.
	Management Committee on Tobacco
	The Management Committee on Tobacco exists to carry out the requirements of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco.
	The Committee last met in June to consider matters relating to the management of the market for raw tobacco, including exemptions from the buy-back scheme and fixing for 2003 the definitive allocations of financing under Community Tobacco Fund. Management Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture
	This Committee was established under Article 30 of the Common Fisheries Policy's (CFP) basic framework regulation (Council Regulation 2371/2002). It can deal with any issues relating to the detailed implementation of the CFP, but has recently concentrated on the successor arrangements to the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme for the management of EU fleet capacity.
	Committee on the Conservation, Characterisation, Collection and Utilisation of Genetic Resources in Agriculture
	The mandate of the Committee on the Conservation, Characterisation, Collection and Utilisation of Genetic Resources in Agriculture is to advise the Commission on draft measures made under Council Regulation 1467/94 on assisting the co-ordination, at Community level, of certain national measures for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture, aiming to achieve an approach in line with the aims of the Common Agricultural Policy. Regulation 1467/94 established a programme for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture for a period of five years. A revised proposal for a successor regulation in 2001 is expected later this year. The Committee recently met, during which meeting it reviewed the state of projects approved under Regulation 1467/94 and considered informal Commission ideas for the revised proposal for a successor regulation.
	Management Committee for Beef and Veal
	The Management Committee for Beef and Veal is mandated to provide close co-operation between Member States and the Commission in order to facilitate the implementation of measures provided for in the CAP regime for Beef and Veal (Council Regulation (EC) No. 1254/99 of 17 May 1999). The normal work of the Committee involves regular consideration of the market situation (including production, consumption, imports and exports). Its work also includes setting export refund rates, adjudicating intervention tenders (purchases and sales), opening import tariff quotas, consideration of technical aspects of beef carcase classification and price reporting and consideration of implementational aspects of the various producer support schemes and other technical measures.
	Standing Committee for Propagating Materials of Ornamental Plants
	The mandate of the Standing Committee for Propagating Materials of Ornamental Plants is contained within Council Directive 98/56 on the marketing of propagating material of ornamental plants. The Committee gives opinions on amendments and implementing measures associated with the Directive, and on the arrangements for carrying out and reviewing Community comparative trials on ornamental propagating material. Recent activities of the Committee include a review of control arrangements under the Directive and comparative trial matters, Agendas and meeting reports for this Committee are available on the European Commission's website at http://europa.eu.int/comm.food/fs/rc/scop.index en.html.
	Management Committee for Wine
	The Management Committee for Wine assists the Commission in its responsibility for the management of the wine sector. It considers draft Commission legislation and gives its formal opinion on Commission proposals. The Management Committee for Wine is mandated to provide close co-operation between Member States and the Commission in order to facilitate the implementation of measures provided for in the CAP wine regime (Council Regulation 1493/1999). The objective of these measures is to maintain and improve the balance between the supply and demand for wine on the Community market and to enable the sector to be more competitive in the longer term.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions her Department's Ministers held with other departments with respect to formulating policy on the Convention on the Future of Europe; and if she will list the policy areas discussed;
	(2)  what papers her Department drafted for submission to the Convention on the Future of Europe;
	(3)  if she will list the documents submitted to the Convention on the Future of Europe which related to the reform of (a) the Common Fisheries Policy and (b) the Common Agricultural Policy.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the normal Whitehall process, Defra Ministers have had regular discussions with other Departments to formulate policy on the Convention. Such discussions have informed the negotiating position of the UK Government representatives on the Convention but Departments have not been required or invited to submit documents to the Convention itself.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps towards the restoration of fisheries policy to national control, in the context of the Laeken Mandate and the Convention on the Future of Europe.

Ben Bradshaw: The principal aim of the Convention on the Future of Europe, as set out in the Laeken Declaration of December 2001, is to address the following issues:
	a better division and definition of competence in the European Union;
	simplification of the Union's instruments;
	more democracy, transparency and efficiency in the European Union;
	a Constitution for European Citizens—not changing but simplifying existing Treaties.
	The draft EU Constitution does not extend Community Competence over fisheries, but clarifies the present situation. We support the current framework because effective management of fisheries requires close international co-operation, and the Common Fisheries Policy provides this. If the CFP has failings, the answer is to negotiate improvements, as we did at the Council last December.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the effect of EU enlargement on the competitiveness of British agriculture.

Ben Bradshaw: EU enlargement represents a considerable expansion of the single market. The increase in the size of the single market presents UK producers with additional markets for their output as well as potential competitors for current markets. However, the implications for UK producers are not expected to be significant in the short term, both because of the continued application of CAP market measures and because trade liberalisation between the EU 15 and CE 10 is already well under way.
	In the longer term the effect of enlargement will depend, in large part, on rates of productivity growth, and we have commissioned a detailed study to examine this issue. The objective of this project is to analyse the potential for changes in relative productivity growth in the new member states and the existing EU and the impact that this will have on agricultural markets. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will be published.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made on the effect of EU enlargement on the scale of the agricultural work force in the EU.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on the agricultural workforce in both the EU15 and the candidate countries is published by Eurostat. The latest Eurostat estimates, for 2001, show the level of employment in the Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing sector was 6,701 thousand in the EU 15 and 3,871 thousand in the CE 10. This 2001 data implies that enlargement would be expected to increase the scale of the workforce by nearly 60 per cent.

European Union

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of EU legislation relating to agricultural production standards identified by her Department as having been implemented in the United Kingdom but not in other member states.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have not made such an assessment. The European Commission is responsible for monitoring the transposition of Community law. Each year the Commission draws up a report on the monitoring of the application of Community law in all member states. This report is available on the Commission's website www.europa.eu.int.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to undertake departmental assessment of the competitive financial impact of EU regulations on UK agriculture.

Ben Bradshaw: Departments are required to undertake Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) for all proposals that impose a burden or realise a benefit to business, charities and the voluntary sector, including those arising from the EU. In February 2002, a two stage 'competition assessment' was introduced as part of the RIA process. The first stage identifies whether the regulation will have an effect on competition; if the effect on competition is significant a second; more rigorous examination of the likely effects is carried out.
	In addition to the UK RIA requirement, in June 2002 the European Commission adopted an Action Plan for Better Regulation, in which it committed itself to introducing systematic impact assessment for new policy proposals.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the decision not to apply for a derogation to Regulation (EC) 1774/2002.

Ben Bradshaw: The EU Animal By-Products Regulation (EC 1774/2002) is directly applicable in all member states. However, the UK has applied for transitional measures where it was clear that sectors of industry needed further time to comply with the requirements of the regulation. It is not clear what aspect of this regulation the hon. Member thinks we should have obtained a derogation from.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the working groups in the European Communities which relate to climate change.

Elliot Morley: The European Community has set up two groups relating to climate change: the Working Party on International Environment/Climate Change and the Monitoring Mechanism Committee.
	The Working Party on International Environment/Climate Change considers key international climate change issues and develops the policy positions that the EU takes in the international climate change negotiations. It generally meets monthly and is attended by officials heading the climate change delegations of each of the member states, and the European Commission. The working party is supported by several expert groups of officials that provide advice and recommendations on a range of technical issues such as carbon sinks, the Kyoto mechanisms, reporting and accounting, and, further action beyond the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008–12).
	The Monitoring Mechanism Committee assists the European Commission with tasks related to the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by member states, and the evaluation of progress by member states towards meeting their commitments. It was established by Council Decision 93/389/EEC as amended by Decision 99/296/EC. The committee has set up three working groups, comprising the relevant experts from member states and the Commission, on annual emissions inventories, national programmes and projections, and emissions trading. The committee meets once a year, usually in September, and is attended by officials from climate change delegations of each member state and the European Commission.

European Union

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European Union about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European constitution.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the normal Whitehall process, Defra Ministers and officials have had regular discussions with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. We have also had contact with Member and Accession States to discuss issues of mutual interest arising in the Convention.

European Union

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list proposed EU legislation identified by her Department as setting agricultural production standards below those in place in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no EU proposals for legislation currently being negotiated which set agricultural production standards below those already in force within the UK.

Export Credits

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions her Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on reforming the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme;
	(2)  what plans she has to reform the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme.

Elliot Morley: The Department is continually engaged in detailed discussions with the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD)—the Department responsible for export credits—with a view to ensuring that the provision of export credits takes full account of sustainability considerations. Discussions take place at both official and ministerial levels.
	Recent discussions between Defra and ECGD have focused on:
	revisions to ECGD's Case Impact Analysis Process, including agreement that in future, ECGD would normally expect to disclose details of High Potential Impact cases at least 60 days prior to making a decision on whether to provide support;
	the UK's approach to the forthcoming review of the OECD agreement on Common Approaches on the Environment and Officially Supported Export Credits;
	an initiative to seek improved terms of support for renewable energy projects through discussions in the OECD; and
	detailed analysis of applications for support which are currently being assessed under ECGD's Sensitive Case procedure—in particular the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline project and the Sakhalin oil and natural gas project.
	Defra will continue to work closely with ECGD on these and other issues to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are reflected fully in the policies and operations of that Department.

Farm Maps

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will issue new satellite measured farm maps to all farmers to enable them to comply with the new requirements of the IACS forms.

Alun Michael: All farmers should receive their Rural Land Register farm maps by the middle of November this year. These maps are digitised using Ordnance Survey MasterMap and aerial photographs where further clarification is required.

Fisheries

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fishing vessels there are in each EU applicant state capable of fishing in the North Sea.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the outcome of the CFP review, fishing rights will continue to be based on the principle of relative stability. This means that none of the applicant countries will gain access to regulated fish stocks in EU waters, including the North Sea. Access will be limited to unregulated stocks outside the 12 mile limit. It is not possible to estimate the number of vessels that might fish in this area.

Fisheries

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many foreign nationals work on UK flagged fishing vessels.

Ben Bradshaw: Information is not held on this subject by Defra or the other Fisheries Departments in the UK.

Fisheries

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of United Kingdom flagged fishing vessels (a) by tonnage, (b) by horse power and (c) in absolute terms are owned by foreign nationals.

Ben Bradshaw: The information sought is set out in the following table.
	
		UK registered vessels at 1 January 2003
		
			  Number of UK registered  Number of UK registered foreign   UK registered foreign ownedvessels as a proportion of the UK total for: 
			  fishing vessels owned vessels Fleet Number Tonnage Engine Power 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Over 10 metre vessels 1,805 1,21 6.7% 17.5% 16.8% 
			 All vessels 7,578 121 1.6% 16.0% 11.5% 
		
	
	The Department does not maintain comprehensive records on the beneficial ownership of fishing vessels. The number of foreign owned vessels is based on advice from local port offices of the Fisheries Departments in the UK on the vessels that are considered to be partly or wholly owned by foreign interests. This information relates to vessels over 10 metres in overall length. Information is not held on vessels under 10 metres, in which we are not aware of any significant overseas interest.

Fisheries

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what European Community compensation (a) is available to and (b) has been taken up by the Government for UK fishermen affected by the 2002 days at sea limits.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the Fisheries Structural Fund, grants co-financed by the EU may be made to fishermen for the temporary cessation of their activities. Where a recovery plan is adopted by the Council, compensation may last for one year, and may be extended by one further year. Where the financial contribution from the Structural Fund exceeds Euro1million or 4 per cent. of the Community financial assistance for fisheries in the UK, the measure must include a decommissioning scheme, with the aim of removing vessels with fishing effort at least equal to the effort of the vessels for which compensation is given.
	This provision is not being used in the UK, but the Scottish Executive is financing an equivalent scheme using national funding.
	Community funding is also available for decommissioning vessels. Defra is awaiting clearance by the EU Commission of a scheme under the provision, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland has announced its intention to introduce a scheme. The Scottish Executive has implemented a parallel scheme with national funding.

Flood and Coastal Defences

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the adjustable flood control and defences that have been constructed since May 1997; what analyses have been made of upriver spillover since construction; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Defra provides grant aid as a percentage of eligible costs to the flood and coastal defence operating authorities in England—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and internal drainage boards—to assist with capital works and studies to manage flood risk. Since May 1997 approximately 800 such capital construction projects have been approved by Defra for grant and/or completed by the operating authorities. However information is not held centrally as to whether these defences were adjustable or not. I regret this information could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.
	The Environment Agency is by far the largest flood risk operating authority in England, being empowered to manage flood risk from all rivers designated as "main" and from the sea. The agency undertakes analyses both upstream and downstream of new defences, both adjustable and fixed, prior to construction in order to understand the river regime. These "river models" provide a tool for understanding how different types of flood defence structure can influence the river regime and assist in the final selection and detailed design processes. By undertaking this in advance of construction any potential adverse impacts should be avoided or minimised.
	Unless particular circumstances arise it is not usual to revisit river models soon after the construction of new defences given the pre-construction activities. However, periodic modelling of many rivers/locations is undertaken through other agency activities such as periodic reviews of defence performance and improvement strategies, broad scale modelling for flood mapping, flood risk assessments and catchment flood management plans.

Flood and Coastal Defences

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the long-term strategic maintenance plans for flood defences in Lincolnshire.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency has long-term flood management strategies in place for each of the major rivers in Lincolnshire: the Nene, Welland, Glen and South Forty Foot. These strategies are implemented through maintenance regimes and capital improvement works, and are subject to regular review. Responsibility for maintenance of other flood defences in Lincolnshire rests with the agency, local authorities or internal drainage boards.
	The agency will also be preparing more wide-ranging catchment flood management plans for the major rivers over the next three years, and a revision of the shoreline management plan for the Wash will be started next year.

Flood and Coastal Defences

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on changes in (a) the level and (b) the mechanisms of flood and coastal defence funding.

Elliot Morley: The Government are committed to maintenance and improvement of flood and coastal defences, including those to reduce the risk of coastal erosion as well as flooding, and have planned to spend nearly £1.5 billion in this and the next two years:
	
		£ million
		
			  Defra(91) ODPM(92) Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 131 280 411 
			 2003–04 144 295 439 
			 2004–05 137 332 469 
			 2005–06 182 382 564 
		
	
	(91) For capital projects, Environment Agency national initiatives such as National Flood and Coastal Defence Database and Catchment Flood Management Plans, Storm Tide Forecasting Service etc.
	(92) Funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to local authorities to support their levies to the Environment Agency and internal drainage boards and their own spend on flood and coastal defence.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's conclusions of the Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Review on 12 March 2003. We propose that Government funding of the Environment Agency's flood defence service should in future come from a single stream of Defra block grant which will replace the existing requirement to approve individual projects for capital grant and the levies currently paid by local authorities to the Agency. These changes will provide more assured flood defence funding for the Agency and allow better long-term planning. The introduction of block grant to replace individual project approvals relies on successful passage of provisions in the Water Bill and, subject to this, we aim to implement the changes as soon as possible.

Fluoridation

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the effects of water fluoridation on farm businesses.

Elliot Morley: Fluorine is a natural environmental contaminant and both feeding stuffs and water for livestock contain fluorides. Some fertilisers and ingredients of livestock and poultry diets contain relatively high concentrations of fluorides. Drinking water limits are designed to accommodate exposure to other sources of fluorides in the diet and in the environment. The best available evidence suggests that safe upper fluoride concentrations in livestock and poultry drinking water are up to 2 mg/l.
	If the water fluoridation provisions in the Water Bill before Parliament were enacted, all local farmers or their representative organisations would be able to participate in public local consultations. There would be no new water fluoridation schemes unless the majority of the local population were in favour. Arrangements for the conduct of local consultations, and the assessment of public opinion will be set out in regulations under powers in the Water Bill. It will also be possible to alter the target fluoride concentration by statutory instrument.

Food Assurance Schemes

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to promote food assurance schemes in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has made clear its support for assurance schemes as part of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food.
	Assurance schemes are a priority for grant aid under the new Agriculture Development Scheme, launched last year to take forward important elements of the strategy. Assured Food Standards has received grant aid under the scheme for projects to create an independent, authoritative body for food assurance; review assurance standards and their delivery; and develop a marketing and communications strategy.
	Some assurance schemes may also be eligible for help under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, which forms part of the England Rural Development Programme. We have, for instance, helped LEAF (Linking the Environment and Farming) develop their premium assurance scheme for horticultural produce.
	Ultimately, promotion of the individual schemes is a matter for the private sector bodies that own and administer them.

Food Assurance Schemes

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the comprehensibility of existing food assurance schemes for consumers in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has not itself undertaken any work to assess the comprehensibility of existing food assurance schemes for consumers in UK. However, various other organisations have considered consumers' understanding of assurance schemes. These include an independent review of assurance schemes (June 2002) carried out for the Food Standards Agency and the National Consumer Council's report on consumers' views on labelling (Bamboozled, baffled and bombarded, February 2003), commissioned by the Food Standards Agency.

Food Security

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to assess the role of British agriculture in providing national food security; and if she will adopt the concept as a central principle of her Department's work;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to examine the risks inherent in a reduction in British agriculture's capacity to produce food and non-food products.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra has a role to play with others in providing all citizens with access to healthy food and in ensuring the continuity of essential supplies of food. The Government believes that national and international food security is best facilitated through improved trading relationships based on more open international markets and reductions in trade distorting subsidies. Our domestic agriculture industry has an important contribution to make by improving its ability to produce efficiently and sustainably what the market requires. The Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food sets out how Government and industry is working in partnership to deliver this objective.

Food Security

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) policy and (b) financial assessment she has made of food security in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Food security in the UK, including the threat to the food chain, is monitored very closely by the Government and we and the industry remain vigilant. Advice on any terrorist threat to the UK is the responsibility of the Security Service. The Director General of the Security Service is responsible to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for this advice, which is provided on a continual basis. Strategic assessments about terrorist threats to the UK are provided to the Government by the Joint Intelligence Committee.

Freedom of Information act

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the electronic document and electronic record management systems which have been procured by the public authorities listed in Parts I to V of Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for which she is responsible.

Alun Michael: Defra is currently in the process of procuring and implementing a corporate electronic document and record management system. A number of electronic document management systems have been procured for use on a smaller scale in specific areas of Defra; these are listed as follows:
	
		
			 Product Supplier 
		
		
			 Docs Open Hummingbird 
			 Filenet Panagon 
			 Keyfile Sydoc (UK) Ltd. 
			 Wisdom Diagonal Solutions

Genomics Research

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential of genomics research for conventional plant breeding.

Ben Bradshaw: Genomics is a set of technologies central to the public sector investment underpinning crop breeding. The Government fund genomics research through a range of research programmes in Defra, Research Councils, and other Departments. As a technology, the potential of genomics is addressed in relevant strategic plans. In addition, research funders have their own mechanisms to assess the potential of their research both at programme and project level.
	Defra's current research underpinning crop breeding is informed by a specially commissioned research project that provided an assessment of the potential of publicly-funded genomics research. The project entitled 'The Role of Future Public Research Investment in the Genetic Improvement of UK Grown Crops' was completed in September 2002. The assessment provides a strong rationale for public investment and has informed the Defra Science and Innovation Strategy. It has been widely distributed within the research and crop breeding community, and is available on the Defra website.

Genetically Modified Organisms

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the products undergoing genetically modified organism field testing in the United Kingdom.

Elliot Morley: Listed are the genetically modified organisms which are undergoing trials in the UK this year under consents issued in accordance with Part B of European Directive 2001/18/EC. All these trials are for research and development purposes, and none of the GM organisms in question have consents for placing on the market as commercial GM products.
	
		
			 GMO Purpose of modification 
		
		
			 Potato Altered carbohydrate metabolism 
			 Wheat Altered bread-making quality 
			 Sugar beet Herbicide tolerance 
			 Barley Altered malting and nutritional quality 
			 Pea Reporter gene linked to a drought responsive promoter 
			 Oilseed rape Herbicide tolerance 
			 Bacterium Development of vaccine for use against typhoid 
			 Bacterium Development of vaccine for use against traveller's diarrhoea 
			 Bacterium Development of vaccine for use against hepatitis

Import Standards

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to prevent the importation of agricultural products produced to unacceptable standards in (a) animal welfare and (b) environmental care, from (i) the EU and (ii) elsewhere.

Ben Bradshaw: Comprehensive legislation exists to protect both the environment and the welfare of farmed animals within the EU. On a wider front, the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement allows for prohibition of imports only in the case of a threat to human, animal or plant health in the importing country. Products may also be banned in accordance with the terms of Multilateral Environmental Agreements to which the UK is a party. More generally, we seek to engage in multilateral dialogue on how environmental standards can be raised in line with our overall aims to promote global sustainable development and eradicate poverty in developing countries. In addition, the EU has made firm proposals on animal welfare in the context of the current WTO agricultural trade negotiations.

Animal Welfare

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government policy on animal welfare in the Intergovernmental Conference.

Ben Bradshaw: At the Intergovernmental Conference, which starts in October, the Government will remain committed to maintaining a policy towards the EU that focuses on a Union that is more transparent, accountable and effective, and better able to deliver on issues which matter to its citizens. The aim of the IGC is to agree the European Convention's draft Constitutional Treaty before the June 2004 elections for the European Parliament.
	With respect to animal welfare, we are pleased that the Protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam has been retained in the new draft Treaty and will remain legally binding. The draft Treaty continues to recognise animals as sentient beings and requires full regard to be paid to their welfare when formulating and implementing policies.

Animal Movements

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the policy on livestock movement restrictions; whether she plans to make any changes; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: A standing animal movements regime came into force on 1 August, maintaining the 6 day standstill but with additional exemptions for male sheep and cattle during the main breeding season. My noble Friend Lord Whitty set out the thinking behind this decision in a written answer on 2 July 2003, Official Report (Lords), volume 650, columns WA 117–120.

OSPAR

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the role of the European Union in OSPAR after the coming into force of the European Constitution.

Elliot Morley: The European Constitution is currently still in draft and subject to negotiation. No change in the working of OSPAR is envisaged once the European Constitution comes into force.

Seals

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to tackle the phocine distemper virus in seals in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: The first case of phocine distemper virus (PDV) was reported at Anholt, Denmark in May 2002. This was the same place that the previous PDV outbreak in 1988 originated. The epizootic reached the east coast of England in August 2002.
	Drawing on the lessons learned during the last outbreak, Defra helped voluntary organisations prepare and cope with the PDV outbreak as it hit UK waters. Discussions were held about the disposal and vaccinations options for seal carcases and the resulting guidance notes were published along with other useful information on the dedicated Defra PDV website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/seals/index.htm).
	Defra commissioned the Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London) to monitor, report and produce information about the progress of the virus. The helpline was funded by Defra and the Devolved Administrations. We worked closely with voluntary organisations and other Government Departments, including The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), The Institute of Zoology (IOZ), Scottish Executive Environment Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD), National Assembly for Wales Agriculture Department (NAWAD), The Department of Environment (Northern Ireland) (DoE NI), and the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU).
	The outbreak was formally declared to be over in the UK at the end of February this year, and was responsible for the deaths of almost 4,000 seals. The Sea Mammal Research Unit continues to monitor seal mortality in UK waters to provide an early warning system for any future outbreaks.

Policy Development

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of global (a) population figures and (b) food production trends in policy development by her Department.

Ben Bradshaw: Assessments of the impacts of EU policies under the CAP can be influenced by world market trends for agricultural commodities and my Department considers projections of these made by international organisations such as OECD. In projecting these trends, analysts will take account of likely levels of world food production, consumption and trade flows. Population changes may influence these trends.

Policy Development

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the role of the Precautionary Principle in determining Government policy in areas of scientific contention within her Department's responsibilities.

Ben Bradshaw: The purpose of the Precautionary Principle is to create an impetus to take a decision notwithstanding scientific uncertainty about the nature and extent of the risk. Defra is committed to using the Precautionary Principle in line with the comprehensive guidelines and advice set down in 2002 by the Interdepartmental Liaison Group on Risk Assessment and is also mindful of the European Council Resolution on the Precautionary Principle agreed by Heads of Government at Nice in December 2000.

Recycling

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she takes to ensure that the incentives local authorities receive to collect paper by weight to meet Government targets are followed by action by those councils to ensure the method of collection is one which facilitates effective recycling.

Elliot Morley: Each local authority in England has been set statutory recycling and composting standards (targets) for 2003–04 and 2005–06. These targets relate to the percentage of household waste sent for recycling, not the amount collected. Individual local authorities are responsible for deciding how to meet these targets in the light of local circumstances which will include settlement patterns, waste characteristics and the market for recycling. Where authorities are contracted to supply paper (and other materials) to selected reprocessors, they will be required to supply materials in the form specified by the reprocessors, which will influence their collection practices.
	Guidance on methods of collection which facilitate recycling should be based on sound data. The Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has recently conducted an extensive survey with the aim of providing a baseline measure for the quality of paper reaching reprocessors from different collection methods. The results of this study are due to be published in Autumn 2003.

River Nene

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to investigate the response by the Environment Agency to the recent major pollution incident on the River Nene between Peterborough and Northampton.

Elliot Morley: Defra officials have checked the response by the Environment Agency to this pollution incident. They are satisfied with the extent and the manner in which the Environment Agency has carried out, and continues to carry out, its investigations into the cause and effect of the incident. I will be writing to my hon. Friend about this in more detail in reply to her letter of 15 July.

Rural Transport

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ensure the sustainability of individual rural transport partnership schemes in the light of the 10-year transport plan; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Rural Transport Partnership programme is run by the Countryside Agency, on behalf of Defra in order to demonstrate ways of providing flexible transport in rural communities. It provides start up funding for up to three years to community based rural transport initiatives to help them develop and implement their plans. It is additional to and outside the mainstream of the long-term investment framework for transport set out in the Government's 10-Year Plan. We are awaiting the Agency's evaluation of the Rural Transport Partnership scheme and will consider its future in the light of this evaluation and the review of rural delivery by my noble Friend Lord Haskins.

Sheep Tagging

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the estimated costs of sheep tagging (a) to the industry and (b) as an average per capita to farmers in 2002–03.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department's Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) estimates the additional cost to the sheep industry of implementing the EU proposals on sheep identification to be in the order of £89 million per annum for a manual double tagging system, and for an electronic identification system in the order of £44 million per annum with a one off capital investment of around £45 million.
	The RIA also estimates typical business costs to be:
	
		£
		
			  Medium upland holding(600 ewes) Medium lowland (600 ewes) 
		
		
			 Additional annual cost of moving from existing requirements to double tagging and manual recording 1,582 2,034 
			 Additional annual cost of moving from existing requirements to electronic identification (93)2,736 (93)3,376 
			 Additional annual cost of moving from double tagging to electronic identification (93)1,661 (93)1,950 
		
	
	(93) Includes £500 capital investment for hand held reader

Waste Management

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the percentage was of collection of municipal (a) non-recyclable and (b) recyclable waste in the UK in the last 12 months.

Elliot Morley: The Department does not collect the information required to answer this question fully. However, results from the Department's Municipal Waste Management Survey for England show that 13 per cent. of Municipal Waste collected by local authorities was either recycled or composted in 2001–02.
	The Strategy Unit estimated in their report, "Waste Not, Want Not", that over 50 per cent. of household waste sent to landfill sites or incinerated in England could be diverted from incineration or landfill through home composting and recycling on the basis of current best practice.

Waste Management

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) on-farm drum incinerators, (b) on-farm carcase incinerators and (c) waste oil burners are in operation in England; and what the total capacity is in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: It is not possible to provide the complete detailed breakdown requested.
	Neither the Department nor the Environment Agency holds definitive data with regard to on-farm drum incinerators. However it is estimated that approximately 27,000 drum incinerators are in use in England and Wales.
	A central register of operators indicates that as at 1 July 2003 there were 306 approved Specified Risk Material (SRM) incinerators in Great Britain. In addition, it is believed there are around 2,500 low capacity (less than 50kg/hour) non-SRM animal carcase incinerators mainly on pig and poultry farms in the UK.
	Burning waste oil as a fuel is permitted under an exemption under Part I of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. This exemption only applies when the total amount of waste oil burned does not exceed 2,500 litres an hour in any one engine. At the last count (Nov. 02) the Environment Agency had registered 36 such exemptions.
	Applications to operate other types or capacities of waste oil burners are regulated by Local Authorities at a local level and no central database exists.However, according to the 2001–02 Local Air Pollution Control Survey it is believed there are over 1,100 small waste oil burners which operate with a maximum burning capacity of 0.4 megawatts to 3 megawatts net rated thermal input. However, the industry estimate is that the actual number of burners with this capacity may be as high as 10,000.

Waste Management

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the waste incinerators undergoing planning review.

Elliot Morley: Details of planning applications for proposed facilities which have yet to be determined by the respective local planning authorities are not held centrally. The table gives the number and status, as at 16 June 2003, of proposed new municipal waste incineration plants in England and Wales of which we are aware. The table contains information shared with the Environment Agency by prospective applicants for pollution control permits. There may also be other planning applications or amendments which have been submitted to local authorities over which the agency has not been consulted. The planning status may have been changed since the data were supplied.
	
		
			 Operator Location Planning Status 
		
		
			 NEWLINCS Developments Grimsby Granted 
			 Onyx Portsmouth Granted after appeal 
			 Onyx Marchwood, Southampton Granted 
			 Surrey Waste Management Capel, Surrey Granted, but there has been a successful legal challenge 
			 Grundons Slough Granted 
			 Onyx Chineham, Surrey Granted 
			 HLC Waste Management Services Neath, Port Talbot Granted 
			 Waste Recycling Group Hull Planning appeal turned down 
			 Kent Enviropower Maidstone, Kent Granted 
			 Riverside Resource Recovery Bexley, London Application submitted; public inquiry under way 
			 Shanks Milton Keynes Application submitted 
			 Onyx Sheffield Application approved 
			 Sita Ridham Dock, Kent Subject to a planning appeal 
			 County Environment Services Roche, Cornwall Application submitted